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Definitions and implications of climate-neutral aviation

Author

Listed:
  • Nicoletta Brazzola

    (ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology))

  • Anthony Patt

    (ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology))

  • Jan Wohland

    (ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology)
    Climate Service Center Germany (GERICS), Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon)

Abstract

To meet ambitious climate targets, the aviation sector needs to neutralize CO2 emissions and reduce non-CO2 climatic effects. Despite being responsible for approximately two-thirds of aviation’s impacts on the climate, most of aviation non-CO2 species are currently excluded from climate mitigation efforts. Here we identify three plausible definitions of climate-neutral aviation that include non-CO2 forcing and assess their implications considering future demand uncertainty, technological innovation and CO2 removal. We demonstrate that simply neutralizing aviation’s CO2 emissions, if nothing is done to reduce non-CO2 forcing, causes up to 0.4 °C additional warming, thus compromising the 1.5 °C target. We further show that substantial rates of CO2 removal are needed to achieve climate-neutral aviation in scenarios with little mitigation, yet cleaner-flying technologies can drastically reduce them. Our work provides policymakers with consistent definitions of climate-neutral aviation and highlights the beneficial side effects of moving to aircraft types and fuels with lower indirect climate effects.

Suggested Citation

  • Nicoletta Brazzola & Anthony Patt & Jan Wohland, 2022. "Definitions and implications of climate-neutral aviation," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 12(8), pages 761-767, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcli:v:12:y:2022:i:8:d:10.1038_s41558-022-01404-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41558-022-01404-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bullerdiek, Nils & Neuling, Ulf & Kaltschmitt, Martin, 2021. "A GHG reduction obligation for sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) in the EU and in Germany," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
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    Cited by:

    1. Sascha Nick & Philippe Thalmann, 2022. "Towards True Climate Neutrality for Global Aviation: A Negative Emissions Fund for Airlines," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-18, November.
    2. Pimiä Anne & Urponen Anniina & Kolehmainen Annaleena, 2024. "Green Horizons Ahead: Navigating Carbon Neutrality in European Transportation by Sky and Sea," Economics and Culture, Sciendo, vol. 21(1), pages 149-158.
    3. Minami Kito & Hirotaka Takayabu & Keisuke Nansai, 2023. "Carbon‐neutral pathways to 2050 for Japan's aviation industry in the absence of a mass supply of sustainable aviation fuels," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 27(6), pages 1579-1592, December.

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