The Hindu: Published on 18th Dec 2024:
Why in News?
Private aviation is under scrutiny for its disproportionately high carbon emissions. Studies have revealed that private jets contribute significantly to air pollution, with India being among the top 20 countries for private aircraft ownership. The issue becomes more critical as India's wealthy population grows rapidly.
Private Flight Usage:
Scientists analyzed flight data from major international events like the World Economic Forum, Super Bowl, COP28, Cannes Film Festival, and FIFA World Cup.
Key Findings:
47% of private flights were for distances shorter than 500 km.
19% were for distances shorter than 200 km, with many operating empty or for goods delivery.
5% of flights were for distances less than 50 km — distances that could easily be covered by road or rail.
The use of private flights for leisure trips (e.g., Ibiza and Nice) spiked during summer weekends.
The U.S. accounts for 69% of private aviation globally, with 8,500 jets expected to be delivered worldwide in the next 10 years.
Emissions by Private Aviation:
Private jets emit 5-14 times more pollution per passenger than commercial flights and 50 times more than trains.
A recent study in Nature reported a 46% increase in emissions between 2019-2023, largely due to private aviation.
Each private flight emits about 3.6 tonnes of CO₂ on average.
The growing use of private jets is exacerbating emissions, especially in developing economies like India.
Air Travel and India’s Emissions:
India has 112 registered private planes (March 2024) with ownership growing rapidly among billionaires and millionaires.
While India has only 0.01 private aircraft per lakh population, the country's high economic growth is contributing to increasing emissions.
Efforts to decarbonize Indian aviation include policies like UDAN and NABH to improve connectivity and airport capacity.
Low-carbon fuel trials:
In 2018, SpiceJet operated a flight using jatropha oil-based biofuel.
In 2023, Air Asia conducted a flight powered by sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) blended with jet fuel.
Challenges to SAF adoption:
Cost: SAF costs 120% more than conventional jet fuel.
Efficiency issues: SAF reduces emissions by 27%, which is insufficient for long-term goals.
Alternatives being discussed:
Hydrogen Fuel: High energy density but challenging storage, handling, and infrastructure redesign.
Electrification: Limited by battery weight, flight stability, and dependency on raw material imports.
Alcohol-to-Jet Pathway: India’s ethanol production (surplus sugar) could meet 15-20% of aviation fuel demand by 2050 if carefully managed.
Conclusion:
Private aviation contributes disproportionately to global emissions, with studies highlighting its inefficiency for short-distance travel. As India’s wealthy population grows, so does the demand for private jets, leading to environmental concerns. While alternatives like SAFs, hydrogen, and electrification are promising, their implementation at scale remains challenging. Strategic solutions, such as ethanol-based aviation fuel, offer hope for reducing aviation emissions in India’s future.
The Gist:
- Private jets are 5-14 times more polluting than commercial flights.
- India ranks among the top 20 countries for private aircraft ownership despite being a developing nation.
- Sustainable alternatives like SAFs and hydrogen are discussed but face technical and economic hurdles.
