Conversations and debate show a strong appetite for net-zero, but “it can’t do it on its own” with “educational process and broadening discussions” on sustainable aviation fuels, carbon pricing and regulation a priority, explains Tim Johnson, Director of the Aviation Environment Federation.

Looking at the future of aviation whilst addressing the big environmental challenges, and making sure those communities and environmental interests are well represented and well reflected in policy is something the Aviation Environment Federation (AEF) is currently facing, which would fulfill the aspirations of government and industry.

“There is the whole debate on sustainable aviation fuels and the role of regulation and carbon pricing. But I think those two things are unlikely to get us to net-zero quickly. Currently, kerosene is much cheaper than the current available SAF fuel, so unless there is regulation that you must use XX per cent, or strong carbon pricing. So until we see those things, we are not going to see a rapid scaling.”

Same educational process as labelling calories on menus

“So we need to broaden the discussion.” explained Johnson. “There is currently a huge piece that we could be engaging more now with the flying public and the consumers in the same way there is this debate in the UK about calories and labelling menus in restaurants and informing them to make the right choices about their diets.”

“There is the same educational process that we need to go through, to help the travelling public with their travel choices and that includes which airlines to fly with, which one has the best sustainability record and which is doing more to introduce greener technologies.”

“Currently kerosene is much cheaper than the current available SAF fuel, so unless there is regulation that you must use XX per cent, or strong carbon pricing. So until we see those things, we are not going to see a rapid scaling.”

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