What would it take to make aviation green in the EU?

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on DW or enjoy below

🗞️ Driving the news: In the following days, the European Parliament is set to endorse a progression from the current use of less than 1% sustainable aviation fuel to a 70% target by 2050, with incremental increases scheduled for 2025, 2030, and 2035
• Aviation fuel producers, including major companies like Shell and Total, would be mandated to modify their supplies under new rules or face penalties

🔭 The context: Amid escalating wildfires and heatwaves in southern Europe, the climate crisis is influencing Europeans to consider the environmental cost of travel, especially with budget airlines
• While innovative green aircraft solutions remain distant, governments are prioritizing the development of eco-friendlier fuels to mitigate the industry's environmental impact

🌎 Why it matters for the planet: The aviation industry is a significant contributor to global emissions, accounting for about 2% of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions and suggesting a worsening impact unless significant changes are made
• The EU's commitment is a step towards mitigating this environmental footprint

⏭️ What's next: Major fossil fuel suppliers like Shell and Total would need to adjust their supply chains to meet these new EU requirements which specify that half of the 70% target is expected to be biofuels, while the other half would be synthetic fuels
• However, questions arise about the feasibility and environmental impact of producing such vast quantities of these fuels

💬 One quote: "The new EU legislation drawing a pathway to substitute 70% of aviation fuels by 2050 by so-called 'green' fuels is no more than greenwashing" (Ines Teles, Stay Grounded)

📈 One stat: Emissions from aviation have risen by an average of 5% annually between 2013 and 2019, according to the European Commission

Click for more news covering the latest on sustainable mobility