Creating a Better World: Reducing Aircraft Emissions in Aviation

June 5, 2015 is World Environment Day, started by the U.N. and celebrated by over 100 countries worldwide. Individuals and companies are investing more heavily in areas of environmental responsibility and sustainability. While aviation pollution rates (689 million tonnes of CO2 in 2012, around 2% of the global total) pale in comparison to the amount of carbon released into our earth’s atmosphere from other sources, we all recognize that aviation is a catalyst for growth. We’re leaders in promoting sustainable development. We believe that aviation should be affordable and accessible to ensure mobility to all sectors of society.

Taking on the challenge

Scientists, aircraft engineers, and many others in the aviation industry are challenged by the dream of reducing carbon emissions and increasing fuel efficiency from aircraft. In 2010 the ICAO Assembly adopted some innovative and challenging goals for the aviation industry including a global annual fuel efficiency improvement of 2% up to 2020 followed by improvement rates of 2% per year after.

Currently, a number of efforts are underway to bring about change, including:

• A very exciting zero-emission airplane powered by the energy of the sun. Developed by Spanish designer Oscar Vinals, the triple-decked aircraft could carry up to 800 passengers and offer more space than a standard commercial airplane, with room for private rooms, shops, and restaurants. It would also be noiseless, as solar panels on the room and wings provide the ultra light plane with the fuel it needs to fly rather than a noisy engine (predicted in 2030).
• NASA has been researching how to make aircraft lighter and reduce drag. One recent NASA project is the Environmentally Responsible Aviation (ERA) project that explores new vehicle design concepts and takes to the air to test them. Some of the challenges worked on with this project include innovating flow control for drag reduction, advancing composite materials for weight reduction, and advancing engine designs for noise and fuel consumption reduction.
• NASA is also involved with a number of biofuel concepts and working on research designed to determine whether biofuels can reduce soot and carbon emissions from aircraft. It found that when a biofuel blend was used in place of standard jet fuel, soot emissions from a DC-8 were reduced by 50%.

Achieving these goals will take strong commitment from all stakeholders. We all live in this world and we are responsible for taking care of it. As bizav works towards creating a safer, healthier world, we hope you’ll join us in celebrating World Environment Day this week!