Sustainability In US Aviation: 5 Key Initiatives

0
Sustainability In US Aviation: 5 Key Initiatives



Flying is one of the most carbon-intensive activities. According to a report by Our World in Data, the aviation industry accounts for 2.5% of global CO2 emissions. With greenhouse emissions reaching record highs, the industry has pledged to reach zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Indeed, achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 is one of the biggest challenges for airlines and the aviation industry because it requires the industry to shift from established practices to new methods, such as adopting new types of fuel and technologies and changing our flying behavior. This article will outline five initiatives the US aviation sector is implementing to achieve climate targets.


1 SAF Grand Challenge

Scaling up the development and deployment of SAF

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) are critical to achieving net-zero carbon goals. According to IATA, SAF can be produced from a variety of sources (feedstocks), including waste oils and fats, green and municipal waste, and non-food crops.


“SAF produced from renewable and waste feedstock can provide the greatest impact in our effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

Over the years, US aviation authorities, the government, and companies have partnered to scale the development and deployment of SAF in aviation through various initiatives and actions.

A Boeing 777 underside with the words "Powered by SAF Sustainable Aviation Fuel"

Photo: Photo: Ian Dewar Photography | Shutterstock

The Biden Administration launched the SAF Grand Challenge in 2021, aiming to scale domestic production, establishing a target of 3 billion gallons by 2030 and 35 billion gallons by 2050. This compares to 24.5 million gallons consumed in 2023, according to the US Department of Energy. The Grand Challenge is a collaborative program between:


  • The Department of Energy (DOE)
  • The Department of Transportation (DOT)
  • The Department of Agriculture (USDA)
  • The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

Some examples of initiatives and funding related to the SAF Grand Challenge include the Fueling Aviation’s Sustainable Transition (FAST) program, through which the FAA has made $244.5 million available to support the development of SAF production, transportation, and storage.

Related

IAG CEO Explains Why Flying Could Become More Expensive

Luis Gallego indicated that sustainable aviation fuel could become a key factor in increasing ticket prices. 

2 Airports Climate Challenge

Helping airports achieve net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050

The FAA and airport and environmental stakeholders in the aviation industry launched the Airports Climate Challenge to support the administration’s goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across the economy by 2050.

A Neste Tanker on an airport apron providing SAF Sustainable Aviation Fuel.

Photo: Airbus


The US civil aviation regulator identified some industry best practices, obstacles, and opportunities to optimize greenhouse gas emission reductions. These best practices help airport operators achieve their emission goals by various means, including:

  • Low or zero-emission vehicles
  • Renewable energy production
  • Energy efficiency assessments

It is worth noting that these specific initiatives are eligible for Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grant funding.

3 Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions, and Noise (CLEEN) Program

Accelerating the development of new technologies reducing noise

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), aircraft noise is one, if not the most, “detrimental environmental effect of aviation.”

“It can cause community annoyance, disrupt sleep, adversely affect the academic performance of children, and could increase the risk for cardiovascular disease of people living in the vicinity of airports.”


In response to this, the FAA developed the Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions, and Noise (CLEEN) Program, which aims to accelerate the development of new aircraft and engine technologies that would help reduce noise, emissions, and fuel burn.

A Rolls-Royce Pearl 15 engine with its cowlings off in a maintenance facility.

Photo: Rolls-Royce

The CLEEN Program is carried out in five-year phases, focusing on reducing noise, fuel consumption, and emissions. In 2010, the FAA began the first phase by signing five-year agreements with Boeing, General Electric, Honeywell, Pratt & Whitney, and Rolls-Royce. The CLEEN program has already gone through two five-year phases. The third five-year phase aims to develop and demonstrate certifiable aircraft technology that:


  • Reduces community noise exposure
  • Reduces non-volatile particulate matter emissions relative to the CAEP/11 standard
  • Reduces noise levels during the LTO cycle for civil supersonic airplanes and reduces absolute NOx emissions for civil supersonic airplanes over the aircraft’s mission

4 Boeing ecoDemonstrator

Real-life technology testing program

Boeing started the ecoDemonstrator program in 2012 to move promising sustainable technologies from the lab to real-world testing in an operational setting. The American aircraft manufacturer has tested 11 aircraft as flying test beds for the program since the beginning of the program, according to Boeing’s website.

Boeing ecoDemonstrator

Photo: Boeing


The Boeing 777-200ER widebody has been part of the ecoDemonstrator program since 2022. In May 2024, Boeing announced that it was testing 36 technologies on a 777 as part of the program. Another recent addition to Boeing’s ecoDemonstrator fleet is the yet-to-be-certified Boeing 737 MAX 10.

Related

Boeing’s Latest ecoDemonstrator Is A United Airlines 737 MAX 10

Boeing will partner with United Airlines and NASA to test Sustainable Aviation Fuel’s (SAF) environmental benefits with an undelivered MAX 10.

Examples of projects include cargo hold wall panels made from 40% recycled carbon fiber and 60% bio-based resin, as well as a fiber optic fuel sensor designed to work with 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

Related

Innovative Technological Features Of Boeing’s New ecoDemonstrator Program

A few of the cabin technologies will be on display next week at the Aircraft Interiors Expo.

5 Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions (EAGLE)

Eliminating leaded aviation fuels in piston-engine aircraft

The FAA, along with partners in the aviation community, launched the EAGLE initiative. The EAGLE team’s objective is to safely phase out leaded aviation fuels in piston-engine aircraft by the end of 2030. Although this initiative is not the most widely publicized, it will help to make general aviation cleaner.

Piper PA-28-161 single engine piston aircraft in the sky after taking off from London Elstree Aerodrome

Photo: JessicaGirvan | Shutterstock


To achieve the goal of eliminating leaded aviation fuels, EAGLE will identify at least one unleaded fuel that is safe for use in the General Aviation fleet and minimize the safety and technical impacts on high-performance engines. The EAGLE team has already demonstrated progress. The FAA now has two pathways for granting authorization to use new unleaded fuels:

  • The FAA fleet authorization process was established by Congress in collaboration with the Piston Aviation Fuels Initiative (PAFI).
  • The traditional FAA aircraft type certification or supplemental type certification (STC) process.


In addition, the FAA issued a Fleet Authorization Policy Statement in 2023 that outlines the process for getting fleet authorization for qualified unleaded fuel.

link

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *