Carbon storage could fuel carbon neutral aviation sector
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) methods could be key to carbon neutral aviation, according to a new study published by researchers from Swiss university ETH Zurich.
The study –
2
-Emissions Aviation Sector – concludes that carbon neutral aviation is possible in the future.
To achieve this, researchers say the best option is to continue powering aircraft with fossil fuels, and then remove the association carbon emissions from the atmosphere using CCS plants.
One of the study’s authors Viola Becattini said that “the necessary technology already exists” and that “underground storage facilities have been operating for years” in places like the North Sea.
Covid vaccine manufacturer AstraZeneca backs Stansted Airport expansion
Pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca – which developed the Oxford/Astra Zeneca Covid-19 vaccine – has thrown its support behind the proposed expansion of Stansted Airport.
On Friday, the Cambridge-based firm told the public inquiry into the expansion that good connectivity to other locations with scientific “clusters” is key to the future growth of the life science industry.
AstraZeneca UK strategy vice president Andy Williams said: “Stansted isn’t currently providing a diversity of locations. We would like to have connectivity to anywhere where there is a knowledge intensive sector or cluster, as a cluster ourselves in Cambridge.”
The proposed expansion of Stansted Airport is “incompatible” with the UK’s climate commitments, Aviation Environment Federation director Tim Johnson told the public inquiry into the proposal yesterday.
Johnson emphasised the changes needed to enable the UK to reach net zero by 2050.
“We believe the application is incompatible with UK climate commitments,” he said. “Achieving [the net zero] target will require profound changes both to how we supply our energy and also to how we live our lives, including in relation to transport and travel.”
The expansion plan involves construction of a new arrivals building, a 3,000 space car park and baggage system upgrade.
Any UK airport expansion must be offset by reducing flights elsewhere, CCC says
There should be no increase in the UK’s airport capacity if emissions from flying are to be cut to net zero by 2050, according to the Committee on Climate Change (CCC)’s Sixth Carbon Budget (2033-37).
The CCC report - released yesterday - advises the government that any increase in capacity would need to be matched by restrictions at other airports to ensure no ‘net increase’.
It shows that polluting emissions must fall by almost 80% by 2035, compared to 1990 levels. Just 18 months ago this was the UK’s 2050 goal.