Conclusion
The multi-decade, multi-faceted green economy tranformation requires that travelism limiits its carbon footprint.The carbon footprint of the aviation sector cannot be allowed to become the climate change Achilles heel of travelism.The decarbonisation of air transport is a particular challenge as mid-century approaches.
In the air transport cluster, mitigation options related to operational, infra-structural and technology-driven efficiency improvements represent the ‘low-hanging fruit’. However, this emissions reduction potential will be inadequate for at least the next two decades, and only two (know) game changer remain: (i) the development and commercialisation of second-generation (i.e. sustainable) drop-in biofuels as substitute for high-carbon kerosene jet fuel; and (ii) the introduction of a market-based mechanism (MBM).
Based on uncertainty about the scalability of the biofuels mitigation wedge, there is no either/or choice between drop-in biofuels and MBMs. A risk management approach requires pursuance of both as part of a basket of measures. Creating a global aviation biofuels industry will be no small endeavor, though. It will require a package of public policies, funding and partnerships at various stages of the technology life-cycle and throughout a long value chain. An MBM for aviation emission could: (i) provide a progressive price incentive for the uptake of sustainable biofuels as well as pursuance of the other mitigation option; and (ii) create flexibility for the aviation sector to offset its unavoidable emissions with lower-cost emissions reductions reductions from other economic sectors.