Airtransport next in the line of fire

They have managed to stay away from the burden-sharing to reduce GHG-emissions for quite some time, but now the airlines are drawing flak, metaphorically speaking. There have been some vague attempts to tax them, but nothing serious yet. Now, one of their own, Mr Branson, suggests that they should change their routines on the ground to burn less fuel. Towing aircrafts to and from runways is such a positive change. Another is more programmed approaches to airfields once you are in the air, as SAS has tried in Sweden. Both these examples show that it is not only an issue of technology and fuel per se, but also concerns regulation and behaviour.

There is, however, interesting research and tests going on to improve and change fuels for aviation. Ethanol (with some modification) being one obvious replacement, but there seem to also be biofuel alternatives for jet-engines. In Europe, there are two projects to improve the engines. One is CLEAN, which sets out to reduce fuel use by 20% and CO2-emissions accordingly, and the other is ANTLE, which goes further and wants to reduce CO2 by 50%.

It is certainly good to see these positive reactions since airline business is probably one of those that has gained a lot from the rebound effect in households. Since we are more energy efficient in our homes today, we have more money to spend on leisure activities. Travel is no doubt one of them, but in spite of all this, the outlook for the "technofix" to be a radical solution is gloomy, according to some viewers. We may have to find more environmentally friendly ways to spend our money and leisure time in the future.