Climate change is the struggle of our time, and private aviation has emerged as an unlikely steward in the quest for sustainable flight. With a slew of early-stage initiatives already in progress, the industry is on a sharp trajectory to meet its aggressive environmental goals.
As an industry, private aviation’s major airframers, professional organizations, and other contributing players have collectively named 2050 as the year by which they’ll reach a goal of net-zero carbon emissions. To accomplish this, there are several high-profile projects, initiatives, and technologies currently in the works:
- Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF). Focused on direct-impact carbon emission reductions, SAF is quickly gaining momentum in private aviation. While still difficult to obtain, and more expensive than traditional jet fuels, SAF is nevertheless in high demand. And it’s a proven move toward sustainability with the potential to leap from private aviation to commercial fleets. Rolls-Royce recently flew a Boeing 747 Jumbo using only SAF — with an 80% reduction in emissions.
- Book-and-claim programs. The limited availability of SAF has paved the way for book-and-claim programs in which operators can reserve SAF at refueling destinations by pre-paying for it. As SAF rollout expands to more destinations, book-and-claim has the potential to make it more ubiquitous and help lower the price.
- Carbon offset technologies. Carbon offset technologies are a key development in private aviation right now. From fuselage design to cleaner propulsion systems, airframers are working hard to streamline jet efficiency to offset carbon output. EVs and hybrid propulsion systems stand to gain traction on the way to the industry’s 2050 sustainability goals.
- Carbon offset programs (i.e., carbon credits). Beyond airframers, industry operators and organizations are offsetting their carbon footprints through established carbon credit programs. These programs channel funds to clean energy initiatives around the globe and realize a lower carbon record for private aviation. Credits also makes sustainability a global effort.
- “Boomless” supersonics. The second era of supersonic jets is just over the horizon and could be here well before 2050. Emerging tech is already subject to the industry’s sustainability initiatives. Boomless supersonics are the new standard, and enterprising startups are already seeking to make SAF a cornerstone of supersonic travel.
- EVs and eVTOLs. Electric aircraft are quickly becoming the darlings of private aviation potential. From self-piloting intracity transports to regional electric jets, there’s a growing field of clean energy craft on their way to market. As their technologies improve, so do the prospects for future fleets capable of zero-emission travel.
- Measuring and reporting. The backbone of all these initiatives is a hard-nosed approach to compliance. The industry is already self-governing — implementing measuring and reporting practices to quantify its progress toward a sustainable future. And they’re painting a clear picture of the path to net-zero emissions.
Private aviation’s goals are aggressive and aspirational — and they need to be. The climate crisis isn’t going away anytime soon — it’s growing worse with each passing year. As demand for its services grows, private aviation is stepping in as a steward for sustainability and looking to serve more travelers with less environmental impact. Zero emissions by 2050 — if industry leaders make good on their goals.