{"id":6984,"date":"2023-08-02T07:38:04","date_gmt":"2023-08-02T07:38:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/energia.imdea.org\/los-retos-de-reducir-las-emisiones-de-la-aviacion\/"},"modified":"2023-08-02T07:54:07","modified_gmt":"2023-08-02T07:54:07","slug":"los-retos-de-reducir-las-emisiones-de-la-aviacion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/energia.imdea.org\/en\/los-retos-de-reducir-las-emisiones-de-la-aviacion\/","title":{"rendered":"The challenges of reducing emissions from aviation and conversion of organic waste to SAF"},"content":{"rendered":"

In 2021, the European climate law was passed in the full conviction that urgent action is needed to preserve the future of our next generations. This law means that combating climate change is no longer a commitment but a legal obligation. It sets 2050 as the deadline for achieving climate neutrality, i.e. zero net greenhouse gas emissions.<\/p>\n

As an intermediate target to help achieve this ambitious goal, emissions in the European Union must be reduced by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990. To this end, a set of climate and energy actions have been proposed in the so-called Target 55 package.<\/p>\n

The measures include, among others, the promotion of renewable energies and energy savings, payment for CO\u2082 emissions, the use of electric vehicles and the consumption of fuels with a lower environmental impact.<\/p>\n

The transport sector in the spotlight to combat climate change<\/strong><\/p>\n

Fossil fuel consumption in the transport sector is one of the main causes of greenhouse gas emissions. It is estimated to produce a quarter of emissions in the European Union and a fifth of global emissions. This is why the Objective 55 package includes specific measures to achieve more efficient and sustainable transport.<\/p>\n

But not all types of transport can adapt with the same ease and speed. Replacing fossil fuels with electric power or hydrogen is already a reality for road transport vehicles. However, in the case of maritime and, above all, air transport, these technological alternatives are much more difficult to implement.<\/p>\n

The most viable options in the medium term come down to the use of liquid fuels that are sustainable.<\/p>\n

Making aviation fuel sustainable<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sustainable aviation fuels, also known as SAF (sustainable aviation fuel), are the main bet to decarbonize the aviation sector.<\/p>\n

SAFs are liquid fuels obtained from organic waste of biological origin (biofuels or bio-jet) or from carbon dioxide captured from the air and renewable hydrogen (synthetic fuel or e-jet).<\/p>\n

In both cases, their combustion in turbine engines releases CO\u2082, but in quantities equivalent to those consumed directly or indirectly during the manufacture of the fuel. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the PAS currently used in commercial flights can reduce CO\u2082 emissions by up to 80 %.<\/p>\n

Roadmap for implementing UAS in the EU<\/strong><\/p>\n

European guidelines to mitigate the environmental impact of the aviation sector are contained in the Refuel Aviation regulation, setting out these obligations:<\/p>\n