THERE are good business reasons to pursue a green agenda in aviation, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
A panel at the World Cargo Symposium heard that shippers and forwarders want to know that the airline they select is doing its best to reduce carbon emissions, said the IATA press release.
'Addressing sustainability is about gaining a commercial edge as well as the right thing to do,' said Martin Drew, Etihad Cargo.
Aircraft are the biggest component in air cargo's carbon emissions, especially as there is still a sizable percentage of older generation models in the global fleet.
Sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) - predicted to make up as much as 65 per cent of the industry's net zero 2050 goal - will be vital, said IATA.
'The problem is the lack of SAF availability. In 2021, every drop of SAF available to airlines was snapped up and the same is expected to happen in 2022, even though SAF are up to three times the price of kerosene,' said the press release.
Many observers feel that biofuels are caught up in a chicken and egg dilemma. They are expensive because supply is limited. This dampens demand, which in turn keeps supply limited and the price high.
Jonathan Wood. vice president of Renewable Aviation-Neste, revealed that the company will increase biofuel production 15-fold by the end of 2023. which he admits is a mere 'drop in the ocean' and does little to meet the need.
'A plentiful supply of the right feedstocks and a supportive policy framework are essential. Where the latter is in place, such as California, SAF are not much more expensive than Jet A1. But there is little consistency among the regions.
All panelists agreed that the aim to produce 30 billion litres of biofuels by 2030 is extremely ambitious.
Offsets are another area being scrutinised by air cargo customers. Some are skeptical of their efficacy, but the Carbon Offsetting Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) has some of the toughest eligibility criteria in the sector.
SeaNews Turkey
A panel at the World Cargo Symposium heard that shippers and forwarders want to know that the airline they select is doing its best to reduce carbon emissions, said the IATA press release.
'Addressing sustainability is about gaining a commercial edge as well as the right thing to do,' said Martin Drew, Etihad Cargo.
Aircraft are the biggest component in air cargo's carbon emissions, especially as there is still a sizable percentage of older generation models in the global fleet.
Sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) - predicted to make up as much as 65 per cent of the industry's net zero 2050 goal - will be vital, said IATA.
'The problem is the lack of SAF availability. In 2021, every drop of SAF available to airlines was snapped up and the same is expected to happen in 2022, even though SAF are up to three times the price of kerosene,' said the press release.
Many observers feel that biofuels are caught up in a chicken and egg dilemma. They are expensive because supply is limited. This dampens demand, which in turn keeps supply limited and the price high.
Jonathan Wood. vice president of Renewable Aviation-Neste, revealed that the company will increase biofuel production 15-fold by the end of 2023. which he admits is a mere 'drop in the ocean' and does little to meet the need.
'A plentiful supply of the right feedstocks and a supportive policy framework are essential. Where the latter is in place, such as California, SAF are not much more expensive than Jet A1. But there is little consistency among the regions.
All panelists agreed that the aim to produce 30 billion litres of biofuels by 2030 is extremely ambitious.
Offsets are another area being scrutinised by air cargo customers. Some are skeptical of their efficacy, but the Carbon Offsetting Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) has some of the toughest eligibility criteria in the sector.
SeaNews Turkey