Atmospheric concentrations of CO₂e are rising due to increasing anthropogenic emissions. Unchecked, rising concentrations of CO₂e in the atmosphere will lead to catastrophic climate change.
Public electricity and heating in Annex I countries accounted for over 6.68 billion tons of CO₂e emissions annually in 2007.
Transport is responsible for approximately 20% of global anthropogenic emissions, or more than 4.63 billion tons of CO₂e annually. Source: UNFCCC, 2009.
Buildings are responsible for an estimated 1.45 billion tons of CO₂e in Annex I nations and over 20% of global anthropogenic emissions annually. Source: UNFCCC, 2009.
Annex I industry emissions are over 1.3 billion tons of CO₂e annually. Global industry emissions account for approximately 24% of annual anthropogenic emissions. Source: UNFCCC, 2009.
Emisisons from agriculture in Annex I countries totaled more than 1.43 billion in 2007 CO₂e emissions.
The EIA estimates that 2006 energy-related emissions from non-OECD countries accounted for approximately 30%, of global anthropogenic CO₂e emissions, or 15.4 billion tons. Source: EIA, 2009.
Biochar could potentially remove over 1 billion tons of CO₂e annually. In general, carbon management solutions could remove billions of tons of CO₂e from the atmosphere annually.
Growth in global air travel is rapidly increasing emissions of CO2e from the aviation sector. The IPCC estimates that aviation is responsible for an estimated 1.5 billion tons, or 3%, of annual anthropogenic CO2e emissions. At its current growth rate, the IPCC estimates that the industry will be responsible for over 5% of global emissions by 2020.
Growth in global air travel is rapidly increasing emissions of CO2e from the aviation sector. The IPCC estimates that aviation is responsible for an estimated 1.5 billion tons, or 3%, of annual anthropogenic CO2e emissions. At its current growth rate, the IPCC estimates that the industry will be responsible for over 5% of global emissions by 2020. Unchecked, the growth in emissions of CO2e will contribute to higher atmospheric concentrations of CO2e that cause irreversible and catastrophic climate change. The sustainability of the aviation industry has come increasingly under scrutiny, leading the U.K. Sustainable Development Commission to issue a 2008 recommendation to halt airport development until addressed.
Industry efforts to increase airline efficiency and lower fuel costs, which account for 20% to 30% of industry cost, are helping to offset emissions growth. There is continual design innovation to reduce fuel use and lower costs. Planes today are on average 20% more efficient than the previous generation of planes. The new generation of planes under construction, such as the Boeing Dreamliner, employs lightweight materials and innovative design and could reduce fuel costs by an additional 20%. Overall efficiency gains of 25% are projected by 2020.
Current measures, however, are not enough to offset increases in total emissions due to expansion of air travel. Alternatives to carbon-based fuels for the industry is a focal point.
There is a significant opportunity for transformation of the aviation industry to low-carbon given the alignment of business interests and climate interests, with a shared focus on fuel economy and alternative fuels. Commitments to rapid development and deployment targets for these measures are an important first step.
There is a significant opportunity for transformation of the aviation industry to low-carbon given the alignment of business interests and climate interests, with a shared focus on fuel economy and alternative fuels. Commitments to rapid development and deployment targets for these measures are an important first step. Preventing emissions growth in the aviation sector could avoid more than 1.5 billion tons of anthropogenic CO2e emissions annually in 2020. More aggressive efficiency gains and alternative fuels adoption hold even greater emissions reductions potential by 2020.
Free-Enterprise Approaches
Interest in alternative fuel use in airplanes is motivated in part by a desire to hedge against fuel price volatility. Although biofuel alternatives to burning kerosene are not yet fully commercial, fuels produced from algae and jatropha are under development and showing promise in early performance tests. Widespread adoption of these fuels could have significant emissions implications. The Sustainable Aviation Fuel Users Group formed in September 2008 and including 16 major airlines has pledged to only use biofuels that perform as well as kerosene-substitutes but have a lower carbon impact. Specific adoption targets have not been set but are needed.
Possible efficiency measures beyond design include increasing plane occupancy and flying at slower speeds, both of which improve the bottom line. Changes at the carrier level being implemented today include changing flying behavior (routes, idling, and velocity) to maximize per-mile flight efficiency.
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