Neste launches website pushing for sustainable aviation

The project aims to raise awareness of alternate fuels for the industry.

According to World Bank statistics, 3.6 billion people travelled by air in 2016. In a survey conducted by Neste, 53% of European passengers are concerned by the environmental impact of air travel and over 50% would be willing to pay more for a flight that used renewable fuel.

In November, a Dutch study found that with growing international tourism and at current biofuels subsidy levels, the industry will miss its 2050 emissions targets. The study recommended policies that reduce air travel as the primary vehicle to reduce industry CO₂ emissions.

According to Dr Paul Peeters, author of the study, “Aviation's share in tourism's CO2 emissions will grow from 50% in 2005 to more than 75% in 2100 even though by far the most journeys will be made by car”.

Aviation biofuels have also been criticised for the amount of land that its feedstock, palm oil, requires and the resulting deforestation. In October, a petition with 172,000 signatures was handed to the International Civil Aviation Organization to go back on its plan to expand the use of biofuels in aviation. The organisation outlined its plans in its 2017 conference.

"As aviation currently makes up roughly 2% of the world's carbon dioxide emissions, making the transition towards carbon neutral growth is an absolute imperative," said Head of Neste Aviation Solutions, Paul Paoletta in a press release.

With air travel increasingly available and used by consumers combined with the low price of oil, incentives to introduce alternative fuels will be necessary to mitigate the increasing emissions from the industry as it grows. This, or a huge cultural and economic shift away from air transport.