As the world envisions a transition to a low-carbon future, lower-carbon aviation fuel offers a practical alternative that will complement the sustainable aviation fuel solutions currently being explored in the aviation sector.
Globally, there is no sign of a decrease in carbon dioxide emissions. The International Energy Agency highlighted that global energy-related CO2 emissions grew by 1.1% in 2023 to reach a new record high of 37.4 billion tons (Gt). Global aviation — including domestic and international; passenger and freight — accounts for about 2.0% of total emissions, approximately 0.75 Gt. If the aviation sector were a country, it would be the sixth largest emitter of CO2 in the world behind China, the U.S., India, Russia, and Japan.
As a response to the growing concern over climate change, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has set a long-term aspirational goal (LTAG) of attaining net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 in support of the Paris Agreement’s temperature goal. Although the contribution from the sector is about 2% of total global emissions, the fact that emissions from aviation are at high altitudes, which have a different impact than those at ground or sea level, has made the aviation industry a prime target for decarbonization.
The ICAO’s approach consists of a basket of measures — including use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), lower-carbon aviation fuel (LCAF), new aircraft technology, operational improvements, other aviation cleaner energies, and market-based measures. While the focus has been on SAF on the fuel side, there has been very little awareness of LCAF, which will also be an integral part of the carbon-reduction measures.
LCAF is a regular petroleum-based jet fuel with its lifecycle carbon intensity (CI) reduced by 10% or more from the baseline figure of 89 gCO2/MJ. It is the same conventional aviation fuel but manufactured with less environmental impact in the various phases of its production. It is acknowledged that SAF will take some time to be scaled up and would also be required to be blended with conventional jet fuel in the near to medium term. With that in mind, blending with a fuel certified as having lower carbon intensity, such as LCAF, is more logical.
This article examines decarbonization developments within the aviation sector and explores the importance of LCAF, its production process, potential benefits, challenges, and role in the future of aviation...
Would you like to access the complete CEP Article?
No problem. You just have to complete the following steps.
You have completed 0 of 2 steps.
-
Log in
You must be logged in to view this content. Log in now.
-
AIChE Membership
You must be an AIChE member to view this article. Join now.
Copyright Permissions
Would you like to reuse content from CEP Magazine? It’s easy to request permission to reuse content. Simply click here to connect instantly to licensing services, where you can choose from a list of options regarding how you would like to reuse the desired content and complete the transaction.