All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Japan Airlines (JAL) have published
a joint report on the promotion and viability of sustainable aviation fuels
(SAFs), which are expected to be a major part of the global aviation industry’s
goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
In the report, “Toward Virtually Zero CO2 Emissions from Air
Transport in 2050”, the airlines have jointly assessed the benefits and
features of SAFs and the amount that would be required to support full adoption
by the aviation industry. It also details the current logistical situation
regarding the production, distribution and utilisation of such fuels.
ANA and JAL have joined forces on their sustainability
campaign and the study provided a comprehensive analysis of the main issues
facing the Japanese aviation sector as it moves towards reduced carbon
emissions, according to the airlines.
The report also provides a roadmap to sustainability for the
carriers, as well as information on the positive impact the transition to SAFs
would have on other countries and future generations.
According to the research, sustainable fuels such as biomass
can reduce CO2 emissions by around 80 per cent compared to conventional fuels.
The study shows full compatibility of SAFs with existing fuelling equipment at
airports and other infrastructure will help ease the transition towards wider
use of the alternative propellant.
However, current global production of SAFs is less than 0.03
per cent of aviation fuel consumption. ANA and JAL say this is evidence that in order to
achieve environmental goals, airlines need to accelerate the technological
development, production and utilisation of sustainable fuels through
collaboration with other industries. The carriers are also urging other companies
to target at least 10 per cent SAF use by 2030 – something both companies are
doing as part of their commitment to the World Economic Forum’s Clean Skies for
Tomorrow Coalition and the 2030 Ambition Statement. Other carriers pledging to increase the use of sustainable fuels include Cathay Pacific.
The study estimates that in order to achieve the net zero by
2050 goal for domestic and international flights by both Japanese carriers and
international airlines operating in Japan, 2.3 million kilolitres of SAFs will
be needed. While the production and commercialisation of SAF in Asia is in its
early stages compared to Europe and the US, the market is expected to reach
around 22 trillion yen as demand grows, according to the report.
Yuji Hirako, CEO and president of ANA, commented: “We are in
a situation where our generation needs to take immediate action toward the
rapidly progressing climate change. Joining together with everyone involved in
the aviation industry, we would like to pass on the blue skies to our children’s
generation by steadily promoting SAF throughout the industry, and with this in
mind we have developed this report together.”
Yuji Akasaka, president of JAL, added: “The role of airlines
in connecting people and building bridges between countries will not change in
the future. In order to sustain the future of aviation, the new energy of SAF and
the cooperation of many people with a variety of knowledge are essential. In
order to expand the circle of cooperation, ANA and JAL will work hand in hand
to reach out to the Japanese industry.”