Copyright: iStock / JazzIRT
On 24 November, a new panel of experts met in Berlin for the first time, in which actors from industry and civil society are developing concrete measures for reducing emissions in air traffic.
At the invitation of Dr. Anna Christmann, the German government's coordinator for German aerospace, the PtX Lab Lausitz is represented in the working group.
From now on, the PtX Lab Lausitz will also be contributing its expertise for emissions reduction in aviation to a new committee set up by the Federal Government. At the first meeting of the "Working Group on Climate-Neutral Aviation", representatives from all the social groups involved met in Berlin to discuss ways of reducing greenhouse gases in aviation. A central role will be played by the further development of future technologies, such as those used in the production of synthetic fuels based on green hydrogen. Germany as a business location can profit in the long term from the targeted development of knowledge and technologies for such products.
Dr. Harry Lehmann, head of the PtX Lab Lausitz, said at the start of the commitment to the "Climate Neutral Aviation Working Group": "Many important technologies for reducing CO2 emissions in aviation are already available. With the power-to-liquid (PtL) process, for example, we can produce synthetic kerosene as a fuel suitable for everyday use. However, for widespread use - with a corresponding effect on climate gas savings - we now also need to find ways to increase production volumes and reduce manufacturing costs. In our pilot plant in Lusatia, we want to pursue precisely this goal - and in the process gather important knowledge about the highest sustainability standards for CO2-neutral aviation fuels. We are pleased to be able to contribute our experience and assessments to the "Climate Neutral Aviation Working Group"."
Aviation responsible for 2.8 per cent of CO2 emissions
International aviation was responsible for 2.8 per cent of global CO2 emissions in 2018. On the way to achieving the Paris targets, emissions should first be reduced and eventually avoided completely. The German government outlined its plans for climate-neutral aviation in June 2022 and backed them up with a roadmap. The joint paper from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) and the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) included the convening of the "Climate Neutral Aviation Working Group", which officially began its work yesterday. Companies, associations, research, civil society and trade unions are represented in the new body. Together, they are now to outline "concrete and realistic measures and actions for effective and visible success in climate protection in aviation" in the work initiated. The head of the PtX Lab Lausitz, Dr. Harry Lehmann, will be represented in the working group.
The Federal Government's "Climate-neutral aviation" paper
Dr. Anna Christmann and Oliver Luksic, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport, presented the German government's joint paper entitled "Climate-neutral aviation" to the press on 21 June 2022. Based on the agreements of the coalition agreement, it identifies the fields of action that are of particular importance for the rapid implementation of climate neutrality in aviation.
About the PtX Lab Lausitz
Zukunft - Umwelt - Gesellschaft (ZUG) gGmbH founded the PtX Lab Lausitz in March 2021. The basis for this is the "Structural Strengthening of Coal Regions Act" (StStG), which came into force in 2020. From its location in Cottbus, the Lab will support the economy and society on the path to greenhouse gas neutrality. It is at the same time a knowledge platform, a source of impulses and a contact for industry, politics and science. The goal is to enable the market ramp-up of environmentally compatible and sustainable generation and use of power-to-x (PtX) products.
