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Working Title (V1): "To what extent is the aerospace industry…

- - - - Bio-safs (made from biological (bio) sources like plants, agricultural waste, or even algae.
        
        Production Method
        Biosafs are made from biological material. Typically animal fats, vegetable oils and waste oil undergoe hydro processing
        
        Sustainability Impact
        ---> For some biofuel pathways, there has been excess of 90% reductions in greenhouse gas emissions
        ---> Improved air quality
        ---> Plants used to make biofuels absorb CO2 from the atmosphere and then when they are burnt release that CO2 back into the atmosphere hence biofuels have carbon neutral potential
      - Synthetic fuels/ e-fuels
        
        Production Method
        Produced by combining CO2 gas in atmosphere with renewably sourced hydrogen gas
        
        Sustainability Impact
        ---> Carbon neutral potential
        ---> Can be used in existing aircraft engines
        ---> Enables decarbonisation without disruption ---
        ---> Depends on renewable energy (possible disadvantage)
        ---> Reduces demand for fossil jet fuels
        
        Limitations
        ---> E-fuels have a much higher cost of production than conventional fuels
        ---> Instituional and legal barriers:
        1) lack of financial incentive or policy (e.g carbon tax or subsidies provided to the industry to encourage transition)
        2) No international mandates or targets set regarding the use of synthetic fuels
        ---> They are more costly than traditional aviation fuels (6-10 times more)
        
        Examples of uses
        
        Neste a fueling company offers synthetic fuels to Finland and Baltic regions,which are the countries
      - Production Method
        Hydrogen can be used in fuel cells to power aircraft engines. Hydrogen engages in an electrochemical reaction with oxygen to undergo electrolysis
        
        Sustainability Impact
        ---> Zero carbon emissions at point of use, only water vapour is produced
        ---> Can cut aviation carbon emissions
        
        Limitations
        ---> Hydrogen has a lower energy density than traditional jet fuel, requires large storage tanks
        ---> Fuel cells have short life span
        ---> Hydrogen is highly flammable
        
        Examples of use
        
        Airbus ZeroE (still in production , released by 2035)
        
        Toyota Mirai (hydrogen fuel cell + hybrid vehicle)
        
        Hydrogen
        
        Can hydrogen storage + infrastructure challenges be overcome in time? Has any research been done regarding this?
  - - - Will battery energy density improvements match commercial needs?
  - - - Are efficiency gains significant compared to total emmisions?
    - - Do operational changes have measurable differences to climate benefits?
  - - - How credible are self-reported emission cuts?
      - Manufacturer innovations (lighter composites, blended wing designs)
        
        Are new designs economically viable for airlines?
- - - - Do noise and local air quality contribute to sustainability or are they just local issues?
  - - - How do we balance economic benefits of aviation growth with land use and biodiversity loss?
- - - - CORSIA (Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation)
      - How effective are these frameworks in enforcing sustainability Are they too vauge or non-binding to make real impact?
  - - - UK ETS (Emissions Trading Scheme) - a market based system designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from industries including aviation. Airlines and other big emitters are given a limited number of allowances for CO2 emissions each year. If a company emits more than its allowances, it must buy extra allowances from other company's, if it uses less than its allowances, it can sell the surplus
        
        Are national regulations stronger or weaker than international guidelines?
        
        Are they incentivising enough for the largest CO2 emmiters?
- - - - Advances in digital technology e.g unmanned aerial vehicles like drones to deliver cargo
      - Are targets aligned with current demission rates? Or is the target set too optimistic when weighed against current developments?
      - Interim 2030-2040 goals (Mid-term checkpoints for 2050)
        
        Targets for SAF use, tech deployment and cuts to emission rates
        
        Will mid-term checkpoints drive progress or do they simply just serve purpose of PR? Are they counter-productive and do they actually encourage delaying of work towards 2050 goal nearer to the deadine?
  - - - Are feedstock supplies able to meet the demands of commercial aviation industry?
    - - Is there enough funds/ money available for full scale commercial rollout anytime soon?
  - - - Can emissions be reduced whilst demand increases?