Long-term goals

A sustainable future beckons the aviation sector

Sustainability has become one of the key focus areas. The aviation industry is devoting their energies towards environmental sustainability for a long period. Airlines have started publishing environmental reports, launching carbonoffsetting schemes, setting strategic plans to reach net-zero carbon emissions and investing in sustainable products.

ECO-CONSCIOUS TRAVELLERS PREFER SUSTAINABILITY

While travel is returning to normalcy, the pandemic has changed the people travel. Reports suggest millennials are conscious about making sustainable travel decisions and are seeking more environment friendly travel options. A recent poll conducted by Booking.com indicates, more than half (53 per cent) of global travellers increasingly prefer to travel responsibly.

The aviation industry recognises this change and is determine to offer customers with a more sustainable way to travel. To achieve their goal of sustainable aviation and to mitigate the impact on climate, airlines continue to invest in fuel-efficient and noise reduction aircraft, sustainable aviation fuel and providing customers a way to offset their carbon emissions.

Adopting Solutions To Reduce Greenhouse Emissions

Aviation contributed less than 3 per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions annually before the Covid-19 pandemic, but that number may rise as the industry continues to develop. As a hard-to-abate sector, the industry takes an active and collaborative approach in driving innovations that eliminate carbon emissions. The ability to achieve this momentous task does not rest with airlines alone, having support from various stakeholders to help make it a reality is imminent.

The industry has seen significant development, including the recent formation of the Aviation Climate Taskforce (ACT). Ten global airline leaders together with Boston Consulting Group (BCG) have founded the non-profit organisation to accelerate breakthroughs in emerging technologies to decarbonise aviation. ACT will use innovation and next generation technologies to focus on solutions - synthetic fuel and direct air capture, Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and long-term solutions, such as hydrogen technologies.

Cathay Pacific has pioneered efforts in decarbonisation technologies over the years. It became the first airline investor of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in Fulcrum BioEnergy in 2014, and recently committed to using SAF for 10 per cent of its total fuel consumption by 2030. The airline has already committed to purchasing 1.1 million tonnes of SAF over 10 years, which will cover around 2 per cent of its pre-Covid-19 fuel requirements on an annual basis. The airline’s ongoing decarbonisation efforts and commitment to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, is a clear signal of the determination to be a leader in the fight against climate change.

Adopting Sustainable Operations

The industry aims to adopt an environmentally responsible mind-set and sustainable practice across functions. Operational improvements and efficiencies can make a difference at every step of the journey.

Additionally, airlines are also facing considerable issues with the management and disposal of cabin waste. According to IATA, the airline industry produced up to 5.7 million tonnes of cabin waste in 2017 costing the aviation sector US$927 million. The waste volumes could double in the next ten years in the absence of concrete regulations.

Digitally Sustainable

Airlines are investing and developing technologies that could help them reduce emissions and meet their sustainability goals. Switching from traditional fossil-derived jet fuels to renewable sources, investing in new materials that make planes lighter, more aerodynamic, and adopting digitally enabled systems help efficiently streamline operations, reducing cost and environmental impact. BTI