CO2 Emissions: Impact of Air Transport on overall emissions

August 9, 2024

Air transport is the second largest source of CO2 emissions in transportation after road transport. Indeed, in the space of 30 years, technical advancements have enabled the sector to halve emissions per passenger per kilometer. However, this is insufficient to counterbalance the increase in emissions due to the rise in air traffic.

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Figures we'd like to see evolve

· Air transport emits nearly 2% of global CO2 emissions (1), or between 600 and 700 million tons per year according to sources, for a means of transport that only concerns 10% of the world population.

· It contributes 4.9% to global warming (1).

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What measures at European and global levels?

Since 2012, the European Union regulates intra-EEA (European Economic Area) flights through its greenhouse gas emission allowance trading scheme (EU ETS).

It also requires a portion of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs) to be incorporated into the overall kerosene supply, with a progressive increase from 2% in 2025 to 63% in 2050.

At the global level, the EU is working with ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) to implement CORSIA (Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation), a measure that encourages airlines to offset their emissions by financing green projects. Based on volunteer participation for a six-year pilot period, it will become mandatory for all airlines in 2027.

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Going green in air transport!

· Biofuels and e-fuels, grouped under the SAFs label, can be an alternative to kerosene, but their cost, 2 to 5 times higher than that of kerosene, hampers their adoption. Another important point, the carbon footprint differs significantly from one biofuel to another, approaching that of kerosene in some cases.

· Beyond reducing direct emissions to zero, electric planes offer many other advantages, such as high reliability and very low noise emissions. However, the capacity and weight of batteries limit the development of these devices to short flights with few passengers. Swedish company Heart Aerospace is currently working on the development of the ES-30. This regional transport plane, which is scheduled to enter service in 2028, will accommodate up to 30 passengers, with a range of 200 km in electric mode and 400 km in hybrid mode.

· By 2035, Airbus aims to launch the first "ZEROe" hydrogen-powered plane. Before the launch of this device, many technical challenges need to be overcome, particularly concerning fuel storage and delivery, the need for lightweight, cost-effective cryogenic tanks, and the design of the plane itself.

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Useful link: Calculate the amount of CO2 emitted during your flight

https://www.icao.int/environmental-protection/CarbonOffset/Pages/default.aspx

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(1) Perlman, K. (2018). Contribution of the Global Aviation Sector to Achieving Paris Agreement Climate Objectives.

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Optimizing Logistics for a Sustainable Future: The Role of Green Mobility Solutions

August 2, 2024

The logistics industry is undergoing a transformative shift towards sustainability, driven by the need to reduce carbon emissions and improve efficiency. Green mobility solutions, including hydrogen-powered vehicles, are at the forefront of this revolution. This article explores how these technologies are optimizing logistics and their benefits.

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Understanding Green Mobility Solutions in Logistics

What Are Green Mobility Solutions?

Green mobility solutions refer to transportation methods that minimize environmental impact. In logistics, this includes the use of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCVs) and electric vehicles (EVs), and other low-emission technologies. These solutions aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve energy efficiency, and support sustainable supply chains.

Key Components of GreenLogistics

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles (HFCVs): Vehicles that use hydrogen to generate electricity, emitting only water vapour.
Electric Vehicles (EVs): Battery-powered vehicles that produce zero tailpipe emissions.
Renewable Energy Integration: Using renewable energy sources to power logistics operations, including vehicle charging and facility operations.
Efficient Route Planning: Leveraging advanced logistics software to optimize delivery routes and reduce fuel consumption.

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Benefits of Green Mobility Solutions

Environmental Impact

Green mobility solutions play a crucial role in reducing the environmental footprint of logistics operations. For instance, HFCVs produce zero emissions while they consume green renewable hydrogen, helping to combat air pollution and mitigate climate change. By replacing traditional diesel and gasoline-powered vehicles with green alternatives, logistics companies can significantly lower their carbon emissions.

Enhanced Efficiency

Green mobility solutions often come with advanced technologies that enhance operational efficiency. For example, HFCVs can be integrated with smart logistics software to optimize routes, reduce idle times, and improve delivery accuracy. These efficiencies lead to faster delivery times and better resource utilization.

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Conclusion

Green mobility solutions are transforming the logistics industry, offering significant environmental, economic, and operational benefits. By adopting hydrogen-powered vehicles, logistics companies can reduce their carbon footprint, achieve cost savings, and enhance efficiency. As the industry continues to evolve, embracing green mobility solutions is essential for building a sustainable future in logistics.

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CO2 Emissions: A Focus on Maritime Transport

September 19, 2023

Maritime transport is a growing source of CO2 emissions over the past 30 years, causing significant concern. This growth is mainly due to a record increase in traffic (number of passengers and freight volume) and the use of older, increasingly large ships.

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Powered by heavy fuel oil, one of the world's dirtiest fuels, merchant ships are also blamed for their role in marine pollution caused by plastic and hydrocarbon discharge.

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Figures we'd like to see change

Shipping accounts for about 3% of global CO2 emissions, or between 600 and 1,100 million tons per year over the past decade, according to the latest IPCC report(1).
Annual CO2 emissions from international maritime transport have doubled since 1990(2).

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What measures are being taken at European and global levels?

Significant advances were voted on by European MPs at the end of 2022:

The obligation for large shipowners (> 5,000 gross tons) to use a percentage of green hydrogen-derived fuels by 2030.
The inclusion of maritime transport in the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), which will, for the first time, require ship operators to pay for their carbon emissions.

It should also be noted that, since January 1, 2023, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has implemented a mandatory annual international data collection system for CO2 emissions for all ships.

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Green solutions in maritime transport!

Solutions to minimize CO2 emissions exist:

Electric barges: The first prototype of a 100% electric container ship from Dutch company Port-Liner was introduced in 2018. Currently limited by a low battery range (maximum 35 hours) and storage capacity, this container ship, nicknamed the "Tesla" boat, is hailed as a revolution for maritime freight.
Hybrid cargo ships: French company Zephyr & Borée designs commercial ships that combine sails and engines. Their latest example, the Canopée, recently completed its first transatlantic crossing with parts of the Ariane 6 launcher onboard. This 121-meter hybrid ship could reduce the CO2 emissions of a conventional container ship by 35%.
"Zero-emission" hydrogen-powered boats: The Hylias project, coordinated by Europe Technologies CIAM and Morbihan Énergies, plans to launch a 24-meter electro-hydrogen propulsion vessel to transport 150-200 passengers in the Gulf of Morbihan by 2024.

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(1) https://report.ipcc.ch/ar6/wg3/IPCC_AR6_WGIII_Full_Report.pdf

(2) Global international shipping CO₂ emissions 1970-2021 – Statista – February 2023

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