The aviation industry is at a crossroads. On one hand, it continues to support global connectivity, economic growth, and the transportation of people and goods across continents. On the other hand, its environmental impact is undeniable, accounting for about 2% of global carbon emissions, with expectations of this figure growing as air travel increases. Sustainable aviation has emerged as a pressing necessity—one that challenges the very foundations of how aviation has been traditionally run. The good news? Innovations in this space are gaining momentum, led by industry pioneers committed to making the skies more eco-friendly. Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), electric aircraft, hydrogen propulsion, and carbon capture technologies all offer promising pathways toward reducing aviation’s environmental footprint. This article explores these innovations, challenges, and the ways in which the industry is adapting to a more sustainable future.
Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs): The Engine of Change
What are SAFs?
Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs) represent one of the most important developments in the effort to decarbonize aviation. Unlike traditional jet fuel, which is derived from fossil fuels, SAFs are produced from a wide range of sustainable resources such as municipal waste, used cooking oil, agricultural residues, and even non-edible crops. These feedstocks are processed to produce fuel that can be blended with conventional jet fuel and used in existing aircraft engines, requiring no significant modifications to aircraft or fueling infrastructure.
How SAFs Reduce Emissions
SAFs have the potential to reduce the lifecycle emissions of aviation fuel by up to 80% compared to conventional jet fuels. The key to SAF’s environmental benefits lies in the lifecycle analysis, which takes into account emissions from raw material extraction, production, transportation, and combustion. For instance, when waste materials are used as feedstock, emissions that would have been released into the atmosphere (such as methane from landfills) are captured and converted into fuel. This creates a “closed-loop” system that drastically reduces the overall carbon footprint of air travel.
Current Adoption of SAFs
Many airlines have begun to experiment with SAF blends in their fleets. In 2021, United Airlines operated the world’s first passenger flight with 100% SAF in one engine. Meanwhile, airports like Los Angeles International (LAX) and Stockholm Arlanda have incorporated SAF into their fueling operations. Large-scale implementation of SAFs will depend on increased production and distribution capacity, as well as supportive government policies.
Challenges in Scaling SAF Production
Despite its promise, SAF adoption still faces significant hurdles, primarily related to cost and production scalability. Currently, SAF can be three to four times more expensive than conventional jet fuel. This is largely because the infrastructure required to produce SAFs at scale is still in its infancy. Additionally, the feedstocks used to produce SAFs must be sourced sustainably to avoid competition with food production or adverse environmental impacts like deforestation.
Policymakers are playing an increasingly important role in addressing these challenges. For instance, the European Union’s “Fit for 55” package includes specific targets for the use of SAFs in the aviation sector by 2030. In the United States, the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Grand Challenge seeks to foster collaboration between government agencies, industry, and academia to scale up production of SAFs to meet demand.
Electric and Hybrid-Electric Aircraft: Taking Off
The Promise of Electric Aircraft
Another groundbreaking development in sustainable aviation is the emergence of electric and hybrid-electric aircraft. Electric aircraft use batteries to power electric motors, offering the potential for zero-emission flights. Hybrid-electric aircraft combine traditional engines with electric propulsion systems, resulting in lower emissions and increased fuel efficiency. These aircraft are particularly promising for short-haul regional flights, where the relatively limited range of electric propulsion systems can still meet operational requirements.
One of the most notable examples is the Eviation Alice, a nine-seater electric commuter plane that is expected to begin commercial service in the coming years. With a range of up to 440 nautical miles on a single charge, Alice could redefine regional air travel. Other companies like ZeroAvia and Wright Electric are also working on hybrid and fully electric aircraft that could serve larger passenger loads in the near future.
Environmental Benefits and Operational Costs
Electric aircraft offer significant environmental advantages. By eliminating the need for jet fuel, electric aircraft can reduce CO2 emissions to nearly zero, depending on the energy source used to charge the batteries. In addition to reducing emissions, electric aircraft are expected to be much quieter than their traditional counterparts, resulting in less noise pollution in and around airports.
From an operational standpoint, electric aircraft could also result in lower operating costs for airlines. Electric propulsion systems have fewer moving parts than traditional engines, which means lower maintenance costs and increased reliability. In the long term, airlines could pass these savings on to passengers, making air travel more affordable while also being sustainable.
Challenges Facing Electric Aviation
Despite these advantages, electric aviation faces significant technical and logistical challenges. The most significant limitation is battery technology. Current lithium-ion batteries, which are commonly used in electric vehicles, are too heavy and do not store enough energy to power long-haul flights. Battery weight-to-energy ratio is a critical factor in determining the feasibility of electric aircraft for larger planes or longer distances. Furthermore, the infrastructure required for recharging aircraft at airports is still in the early stages of development, with only a few airports currently equipped to support electric aviation.
However, there is optimism that advancements in battery technology will address these challenges. Research into solid-state batteries, which offer higher energy density and lower weight, could make longer electric flights possible in the future.
Hydrogen as a Propellant: The Next Frontier
Hydrogen’s Role in Aviation
Hydrogen propulsion represents another promising pathway toward reducing the aviation sector’s carbon footprint. Hydrogen fuel cells generate electricity through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, producing only water vapor as a byproduct. Hydrogen can also be used in modified jet engines as a fuel source, offering a direct replacement for conventional jet fuel without producing carbon emissions.
Major aerospace companies are investing in hydrogen-powered aircraft. Airbus, for example, has announced plans to develop a hydrogen-powered commercial airliner by 2035 as part of its ZEROe initiative. The potential environmental benefits of hydrogen are significant, particularly for long-haul flights, which account for a large proportion of aviation’s emissions.
Challenges in Implementing Hydrogen Aviation
Despite its promise, hydrogen aviation faces numerous technical, logistical, and economic challenges. One of the primary barriers to widespread adoption is the storage and transportation of hydrogen. Hydrogen has a much lower energy density than conventional jet fuel, which means that larger fuel tanks are needed to store the same amount of energy. Additionally, hydrogen must be stored at extremely low temperatures or under high pressure, requiring specialized infrastructure at airports.
Hydrogen production is another challenge. Currently, most hydrogen is produced through a process called steam methane reforming, which relies on fossil fuels and emits carbon dioxide. For hydrogen to be a truly sustainable aviation solution, it must be produced using renewable energy sources, a process known as green hydrogen production.
Carbon Offsetting and Capture: Mitigating Emissions
The Role of Carbon Offsetting in Aviation
While the industry transitions toward more sustainable fuels and propulsion systems, carbon offsetting remains an important tool for mitigating the environmental impact of air travel. Carbon offsetting allows airlines and passengers to invest in projects that reduce or remove greenhouse gas emissions, such as reforestation, renewable energy projects, or methane capture initiatives. By purchasing carbon offsets, airlines can help balance out the emissions generated by their flights.
Many airlines now offer carbon offsetting programs, either as part of the ticket purchase process or through third-party platforms. These programs give environmentally conscious passengers the opportunity to reduce their carbon footprint while still enjoying the convenience of air travel.
Carbon Capture Technologies
In addition to offsetting, carbon capture technologies are gaining traction as a way to directly remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Direct Air Capture (DAC) systems use chemical reactions to capture CO2 from the air, which can then be stored underground or used to produce fuels and other materials.
One of the most well-known companies in this space is Climeworks, which has developed large-scale DAC facilities capable of capturing thousands of tons of CO2 per year. While the technology is still in its early stages, it represents a potential long-term solution for mitigating the aviation industry’s emissions.
The Path Forward: Collaboration and Innovation
Collaboration is Key
The path toward sustainable aviation is a complex one, requiring collaboration between airlines, manufacturers, policymakers, and technology providers. Governments play a crucial role in setting regulatory frameworks that incentivize the use of sustainable fuels and technologies. For instance, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has established the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), which aims to cap net CO2 emissions from international flights at 2020 levels.
Airlines and manufacturers must also work together to develop and implement new technologies. Many companies are already forming partnerships with technology startups and research institutions to accelerate the development of sustainable aviation solutions. For example, the European Clean Sky 2 program brings together industry, academia, and public bodies to fund research into greener aircraft technologies.
Framför Labs' Role in Driving Sustainability
At Framför Labs, we are committed to leading the charge in sustainable aviation innovation. Our work in developing cutting-edge solutions for more efficient flight operations, sustainable fuel options, and optimized aircraft performance is aimed at reducing the environmental impact of air travel while ensuring the industry remains economically viable. By collaborating with partners across the aviation value chain, we aim to bring sustainable aviation technologies from the lab to the skies.
Conclusion: The Future is Sustainable
The future of aviation is poised to be smarter, greener, and more efficient. The road to achieving this vision is paved with innovation in sustainable fuels, electric and hydrogen propulsion, carbon offsetting, and more. While challenges remain in scaling these solutions, the pace of progress is accelerating, driven by regulatory frameworks, industry collaboration, and technological breakthroughs. At Framför Labs, we are excited to be part of this journey, working to transform aviation into a sustainable mode of transportation that benefits both people and the planet.
