The Aerospace and Aviation Industry's Path to Greener Skies

In my previous article, I highlighted the urgent need, as well as significant progress in the decarbonization of the automotive sector, which annually produces 60 million vehicles and releases over 74 million tons of CO2. This sector's environmental impact makes it a crucial battleground in the fight against climate change. Building on this foundation, we now turn our attention to another sector that has lower emissions than automotive but is one of the fastest growing: the aerospace (aircraft manufacturing) and aviation industry (aircraft operation). According to Research and Markets, the aerospace market is projected to grow by 50% from 2023 to 2028. This substantial growth brings an equally significant challenge: addressing the industry's carbon footprint. Consequently, decarbonization has emerged as a critical business priority for aerospace companies, influencing strategies to reduce emissions across Scope 1, 2, and 3 categories.

In addressing this challenge, aerospace companies are actively tackling Scope 1 emissions, which originate directly from their owned or controlled sources, such as manufacturing facilities and aircraft production processes. Industry leaders like Boeing are adopting lean methodologies to streamline operations, eliminate waste, and foster sustainable practices. Meanwhile, Scope 2 emissions, which stem indirectly from purchased electricity, steam, and heating, are prompting a shift toward renewable energy sources across the industry. Bombardier, for instance, has equipped its Singapore facility with solar energy and powers its Quebec facilities with hydroelectric energy, achieving a commendable 72% renewable electricity consumption by 2023. Similarly, Airbus is pursuing the goal of powering all its European sites with 100% renewable energy by this year, facilitated by implementing power purchase agreements for wind and solar power. Additionally, Airbus's neo production lines are powered by biomass boilers, which utilize organic materials like wood pellets or agricultural waste to generate heat and energy in an environmentally friendly manner.

Building on efforts to address Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, the aerospace sector now faces its most daunting task: mitigating Scope 3 emissions. These emissions constitute a substantial 70% of the industry's carbon footprint and involve a complex web of stakeholders. Scope 3 emissions span the entire value chain, from suppliers to aircraft operations by airlines and operators, directly linking aerospace manufacturing's environmental impact to global aviation activities. Despite aviation contributing a modest 2.5% to global CO2 emissions, it has a disproportionate impact on global warming, accounting for approximately 4% to date, as highlighted by Our World in Data. Deloitte projects a stark increase in emissions by 2050, potentially reaching 2,350 million tons of CO2 due to soaring air travel demands. This underscores the urgent need to manage both current and future emissions effectively. 

In response, aerospace companies are pioneering innovative solutions. Bombardier, for example, is spearheading the EcoJet project, which aims to cut aircraft CO2 emissions by up to 50% through advanced aerodynamics and low-emission propulsion systems. Also, Airbus has plans to introduce the world's first hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft by 2035. Hydrogen propulsion holds great promise for eliminating carbon emissions on medium- and long-haul flights, potentially revolutionizing aviation's carbon footprint.  In addition to hydrogen, the aerospace industry is making substantial investments in Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs) and electric propulsion technologies. According to Deloitte's analysis, these innovations have the potential to collectively reduce CO2 emissions by up to 63%, which equates to 1,490 million tons by 2050. Electric propulsion technology, which shows particular promise for short-haul flights covering up to 500 miles, could potentially achieve a 60% reduction in emissions by midcentury. This rapidly advancing technology encompasses hybrid aircraft utilizing both traditional fuel and electric batteries, as well as fully electric aircraft. Conversely, SAFs offer a sustainable alternative tailored for long-haul flights exceeding 1,000 miles. IATA highlights SAFs' capability to slash CO2 emissions by up to 80%, with Deloitte estimating a potential 75% reduction in emissions from long-haul flights by 2050. The two main sources of SAFs, bio-SAFs sourced from renewable feedstocks and synthetic SAFs produced from hydrogen and captured CO2, underscore the industry's dedication to mitigating aviation's environmental impact through innovative technologies and sustainable solutions.

However, these groundbreaking technologies are not without their formidable obstacles. Hydrogen propulsion, for instance, grapples with the critical tasks of reducing the weight and cost associated with onboard hydrogen storage, posing significant barriers. This necessitates extensive aircraft redesigns, potentially altering their shape and structure to accommodate efficient hydrogen storage and distribution systems. Similarly, electric propulsion technology faces persistent issues related to battery energy density. Current lithium battery technology provides substantially less usable energy per unit compared to traditional jet fuel, limiting its practicality to smaller aircraft and shorter flight distances. In addition to these technological hurdles, SAFs present formidable economic barriers. Bio-SAFs, offering net-zero emissions over their life cycle, currently command prices two to four times higher than conventional jet fuel. Meanwhile, synthetic SAFs, produced from hydrogen and captured CO2, face even higher costs due to limited production scales and technological complexity.

Overcoming these obstacles and achieving substantial emissions reductions, particularly in addressing Scope 3 emissions from the aerospace industry, requires global collaboration to drive the industry's decarbonization. Firstly, governments must implement incentives and programs to facilitate the adoption of sustainable alternatives and scale up the use of SAFs and electric propulsion. For instance, the European Union’s Green Deal includes the ReFuelEU Aviation initiative, which targets increased SAF usage, directly addressing the emissions from aircraft operations by airlines. Similarly, in the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions, and Noise (CLEEN) Program supports advancements in aircraft efficiency and alternative fuels. Secondly, in addition to government action, airlines must commit to ambitious sustainability targets to generate a higher impact. Major carriers like Delta, British Airways, Air Canada, and Aeromexico have set goals for net-zero emissions by midcentury, focusing on fleet modernization, fuel efficiency improvements, and carbon offset programs. Moreover, engaging consumers through transparency about carbon emissions and offering options for carbon-neutral flights can drive demand for greener alternatives. Thirdly, airports also play a vital role in this transition. According to the Brussels Times, 20 airports are responsible for 27% of the global passenger air transport sector's total greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to Scope 3 emissions. To mitigate their environmental impact, several airports have taken proactive measures. For instance, airports in Bogota and Santiago de Chile in Latin America, along with La Paz and Tampico in Mexico, have installed solar panels to significantly reduce their emissions.

Decarbonizing the aerospace industry is fraught with technological and economic challenges; therefore, the sector must rely on a combination of pioneering solutions like hydrogen and electric propulsion, SAFs, alongside robust policy frameworks and commitments from airlines and airports. These initiatives need to be combined with consumer willingness to pay for greener alternatives. Companies will likely lead the change, driven by their commitments to reduce CO2 emissions. With business travel representing a quarter of global tourism, companies will be compelled to purchase carbon credits or pay more for sustainable options. For the general population, it will require a combination of conviction, social pressure (as was visible in Sweden with the “flight shaming” movement), and regulatory frameworks.

Believing in the transformation of the aerospace industry is grounded in the necessity of addressing the climate crisis. With strong corporate responsibility and environmentally conscious stakeholders leading the way, a sustainable future for aviation is on the horizon.