Environmental and sustainable aspects of aviation: emission of pollutants and particles, sustainable aviation fuel and electromobility

Abstract

Aircraft operations contribute to climate through a series of complex processes, including the emission of greenhouse gas (GHG), particulate matter, and contrail formation. Global aviation is responsible for approximately 2.4 percent of annual anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions and has contributed 4 percent to global warming to date. In 2015, the Paris Agreement was established with the long-term ambition of limiting the temperature rise to 2 Celsius degrees this century. In response, the aviation sector has begun making the shift toward more sustainable practices to reach carbon net zero by 2050. Among various measures and mitigation strategies, sustainable aviation fuel and electrification of aircrafts have become focus areas. However, some of the emissions and sustainable implications of these solutions are overlooked by the industry. The present work provides brief reviews on them.