Aviation
British Airways plans to offset rising emissions by sprinkling crushed rocks
The airline will pay a UK company to carry out enhanced rock weathering, which speeds up natural carbon-absorbing processes
London airport expansion spotlights danger of “false hope” Jet Zero strategy
The UK government decided expansion is compatible with its plan to cut aviation emissions, raising questions about its reliance on unproven techno-fixes over reducing flights
As first airline drops goal, are aviation’s 2030 targets achievable without carbon offsets?
Air New Zealand has dropped its 2030 emissions reductions targets, validated by the Science-Based Targets Initiative
Airlines plot fight-back against France’s short-haul flights ban
The aviation industry plans to argue that banning short-haul flights is ineffective and impinges on EU citizens’ right to travel between countries
International air travel set for ‘aspirational’ 2050 net zero goal
The International Civil Aviation Organization has agreed a 2050 net zero emissions goal for aviation but its credibility is in doubt
UK government touts ‘guilt-free flying’ on country’s hottest day on record
The “jet zero” strategy relies on future technology breakthroughs and rejects options to curb demand
Dutch government issues world-first cap on flights from European hub
Schiphol airport, the third busiest in Europe, will be required to limit traffic to below its pre-pandemic peak, to reduce pollution
Nigerian airlines win jet fuel subsidy after shutdown threat
After domestic airlines threatened to ground their planes, the government agreed to cover some of their rising fuel costs
Turkey opens laboratory to grow algae for jet fuel, in EU-backed clean aviation push
Ministers hope Turkish Airlines will make its first biofuelled flight by the end of 2022, but experts are sceptical algae can make much of a dent in aviation emissions
US spending on airport expansion flies under the radar for climate activists
Public funding of $25 billion to airports generated little controversy despite flying’s outsized climate impact, in contrast to the European discourse
UK Supreme Court lifts ban on Heathrow airport third runway
Heathrow still faces major obstacles to carry out its expansion plans, in light of the UK’s 2050 net zero target and uncertain future demand
EU urged to address aviation’s full climate impact, including non-CO2 emissions
Air travel is heating the climate at approximately three times the rate of the sector’s carbon dioxide emissions alone, report finds, with major policy implications
UK Supreme Court hears climate case on Heathrow airport expansion
Heathrow Airport is challenging a ruling that quashed plans to build a third runway earlier this year, based on the UK commitment to the Paris Agreement
UK Climate Assembly calls for frequent flyer levy, private jet ban
A group of 108 citizens tasked with finding fair and socially acceptable ways to decarbonise the British economy by 2050 proposed curbs on jetsetting
Air travel to bounce back faster in domestic markets, industry forecasts
A projected recovery in domestic air travel to pre-pandemic levels by 2022 puts the spotlight on emissions from major markets like the US and China
Airlines’ climate obligations postponed as UN body endorses industry proposal
A handful of countries on the council of the International Civil Aviation Organization agreed to change the rules to reduce the sector’s carbon costs
‘Final blow’ to aviation climate plan as EU agrees to weaken rules
EU member states will back an industry proposal to reduce airlines’ climate obligations in response to the coronavirus pandemic, at the UN aviation forum
Airlines could get free pass on climate for five years under industry proposal
The industry is lobbying to rewrite the rules of a UN aviation pact, in a move researchers say would remove pressure to invest in clean flying technology
Five ways for governments to green airline bailouts
The pandemic has exposed the vulnerability of airlines to disruption, forcing a reboot of the sector. This is what a green recovery for aviation would look like
German environment minister defends airline bailout, promises green recovery
The immediate priority is to protect workers, argued Svenja Schulze, resisting calls to impose green conditions on a €10 billion support package for Lufthansa