A massive shift in innovation, consumer behavior, and utilization of more ambitious green technologies to power aircraft and seafaring cargo ships will be crucial to reducing their long-term carbon footprint. A European Environment Agency (EEA) report says incremental measures such as improving fuel efficiency to cut emissions will not be enough for the aviation and shipping sectors to meet European greenhouse gas emissions and sustainability targets.
Aviation and shipping are the focus of the latest EEA “Transport and Environment Reporting Mechanism (TERM)” report published recently. The two sectors have come under increased scrutiny over their rising emissions and how they can meet EU decarbonization goals.
By 2050, global aviation and shipping together are anticipated to contribute almost 40% of global carbon dioxide emissions unless further mitigation actions are taken. The report notes that in many ways the sectors are locked into established ways of operating, which can be difficult to change. For example, past investments in conventional airport and seaport infrastructure can delay the uptake of more sustainable technologies and opportunities to encourage alternative cleaner modes of transport like rail, for shorter trips. Similarly, the long lifespan of airplanes and vessels can hamper a faster shift to cleaner technologies. Other hurdles to be overcome include the lack of research on cleaner fuels for both aircraft and ships as well as the costs involved in producing them.
The TERM report stresses that governments have a key role to play by supporting investment in research, product standards, and subsidies for new emerging technologies, and to spur the sharing of data and information on the viability of new technologies. Efforts to promote debate on sustainable travel and consumer behavior and changes to lifestyles and transport habits can also help in the long term to reduce carbon emissions and other impacts associated with aviation and shipping.
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A massive shift in innovation, consumer behavior, and utilization of more ambitious green technologies to power aircraft and seafaring cargo ships will be crucial to reducing their long-term carbon footprint. A European Environment Agency (EEA) report says incremental measures such as improving fuel efficiency to cut emissions will not be enough for the aviation and shipping sectors to meet European greenhouse gas emissions and sustainability targets.
Aviation and shipping are the focus of the latest EEA “Transport and Environment Reporting Mechanism (TERM)” report published recently. The two sectors have come under increased scrutiny over their rising emissions and how they can meet EU decarbonization goals.
By 2050, global aviation and shipping together are anticipated to contribute almost 40% of global carbon dioxide emissions unless further mitigation actions are taken. The report notes that in many ways the sectors are locked into established ways of operating, which can be difficult to change. For example, past investments in conventional airport and seaport infrastructure can delay the uptake of more sustainable technologies and opportunities to encourage alternative cleaner modes of transport like rail, for shorter trips. Similarly, the long lifespan of airplanes and vessels can hamper a faster shift to cleaner technologies. Other hurdles to be overcome include the lack of research on cleaner fuels for both aircraft and ships as well as the costs involved in producing them.
The TERM report stresses that governments have a key role to play by supporting investment in research, product standards, and subsidies for new emerging technologies, and to spur the sharing of data and information on the viability of new technologies. Efforts to promote debate on sustainable travel and consumer behavior and changes to lifestyles and transport habits can also help in the long term to reduce carbon emissions and other impacts associated with aviation and shipping.