Features, problems and prospects of civil aviation decarbonization

Abstract

Abstract. The article considers the peculiarities of the process of decarbonization of civil aviation. The objectives presented by IATA to the UN Framework Convention on Reducing Carbon Emissions have been clarified: a) average increase in fuel efficiency by 1.5 % per year from 2009 to 2023; b) a cap on net aviation CO₂ emissions from 2020 (carbon-neutral growth); c) a 50 % reduction in net aviation CO₂ emissions by 2050 compared to 2005 levels. These goals can be achieved by following four decarbonisation strategies: the operational efficiency of airlines, the use of innovative technologies, the use of sustainable energy fuels and carbon offset measures. According to the results of the analysis, the operational efficiency strategy provides for: route optimization; increasing the occupancy and load factor of aircraft; weight loss on board; fleet renewal; acquisition of new generation aircraft (eg A320NEO), which is projected to reduce life cycle CO₂ emissions per aircraft by 1-15 %. Sustainable aviation fuel (SAFs) strategy: biofuels; synthetic fuel; hydrogen and electric fuels can reduce carbon emissions by 13-26 %. Most of all, it can reduce carbon emissions, namely by 30-70 % of the use of electric or hybrid aircraft. The carbon offset strategy complements other measures to reduce CO₂ emissions that cannot be reduced through the use of technological improvements, operational improvements and SAFs through compensation payments for exceeding carbon emissions. It is established that the process of decarbonization of civil aviation is based on such principles as: 1) decarbonization and strategic foresight; 2) implementation of environmental behavior in practice; 3) increasing regulatory flexibility; 4) accelerated creation of partnerships focused on climate protection; 5) digitization of data and processes to build trust and confirm results. The problem with the process of decarbonization of civil aviation is that fully electric, hybrid-electric and environmentally friendly commercial airliners operating on hydrogen are far from mass production due to flight physics, safety test requirements and current technological constraints. Sustainable aviation fuel will provide significant opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from aviation, but it is currently produced to a limited extent and requires significant commercial development to achieve widespread use. On the positive side, reducing greenhouse gas emissions for civil aviation companies in the long run will mean improving their business reputation, diversifying their investor base, raising stock prices, reducing the cost of raising capital and expanding investment opportunities. In the following researches it is offered to make the analysis of influence of decarbonization on the basic financial and economic indicators of the enterprises of branch of civil aviation. Keywords: global warming, decarbonisation strategy, greenhouse gases, carbon-neutral growth, sustainable aviation fuel, operational efficiency, innovative technologies, carbon offset.