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Flightpath: exploring the future of aviation

As the aviation industry returns to the skies after the COVID-19 pandemic, reducing carbon emissions remains critical. Significant reductions in aviation emissions are possible, but it will take urgent action and collaboration from multiple stakeholders.

Shell Aviation advocates a three-tiered carbon-management approach to reducing CO2 emissions:

  1. Avoid emissions: by adopting new technologies and achieving operational efficiencies that eliminate CO2 output, particularly on the ground. David Hone, Chief Climate Adviser for Shell, explains why a “wait and see” approach won’t suffice.
  2. Reduce emissions: through the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Bryan Sherbacow, SAF pioneer and Chief Commercial Officer of biofuel producer World Energy, discusses what it will take to produce SAF at scale.
  3. Offset emissions: by using high quality nature-based carbon credits to compensate for emissions. Chris Webb, Head of Carbon Markets at environmental group The Nature Conservancy, says investing in forests can help solve the problem.

Customers, especially business travelers, are demanding climate action, according to Angela Foster-Rice, former Managing Director of Environmental Affairs and Sustainability for United Airlines. Annie Petsonk, International Counsel at the Environmental Defense Fund, agrees, adding that the consequences of inaction are tremendous.

Shell Aviation's Flightpath series explores the most pressing challenges to the aviation industry, with leading experts discussing how to build a sustainable future. To get the latest articles and videos, subscribe to our free newsletter.

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