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PtX Lab Lausitz is investigating European climate protection efforts and discussing measures in the PtX Lab Talk on 26 September 2024.
Climate-neutral aviation by 2050 is feasible, provided that far-reaching measures are taken immediately. These include the complete substitution of fossil fuels with sustainable alternatives such as Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) and Power-to-Liquid (PtL) kerosene. To achieve this goal, the EU has so far only relied on blending quotas and monitoring of non-CO2 effects.
What role do SAF and PtL play in achieving climate-neutral air transport? Why are measures to reduce non-CO2 effects in air transport important? And what challenges and potential does the substitution of fossil fuels hold?
Two aviation experts from the Cottbus-based Think and Do Tank, Dr Sören Schwuchow and Felix Schmermer, have analysed Europe's efforts to protect the climate and derived the future consequences for Germany. Their conclusion: the current measures are not sufficient to achieve complete climate neutrality.
"To achieve climate-neutral aviation by 2050, the sustainability requirements for aviation must be significantly increased. However, these measures alone are not enough if sufficient production capacities for SAF are not available."
As an example, Sören Schwuchow cites the EU blending quota: this has a significant influence on the emergence of a European SAF market. However, Schwuchow fears that "the effect of the blending quota could be in vain if additional measures to support capacity building are not taken. This applies in particular to the production of PtL kerosene."
Measures needed to achieve climate-neutral aviation
The expert duo from the Cottbus lab is proposing "a package of measures that not only mandates the use of more SAF and promotes its production, but also aims to minimise residual emissions and offset unavoidable emissions," explains Schmermer. This includes four areas:
- Increasing the SAF blending rate to 100 per cent in the long term and the PtL sub-rate to 65 per cent
- Successively increasing the prescribed minimum GHG savings through SAF
- Introducing a negative emissions quota to offset residual emissions
- Introducing an instrument to support the development of PtL production capacities
However, in order to get the planning and implementation of realistic production capacities and infrastructures for sustainable fuels and negative emissions underway, ‘stable planning bases on the part of the companies’ are needed, according to Schmermer.
The PtX Lab will soon publish the analysis results and recommendations for action.
Discussion in the virtual PtX Lab Talk #11
Join us on 26 September 2024 to discuss ‘Fit for Zero: Climate Neutral Aviation’ with experts and knowledgeable guests. Marte van der Graaf (Transport & Environment) and Ewa Oney (EU Commission) have already confirmed their participation. Further details and the opportunity to register will follow shortly.
The Lab Talks are a series of digital events in which experts from the PtX Lab discuss ways to achieve climate targets with speakers from politics, industry and civil society, as well as with participants. Participation is free of charge.
