Transportation is one of the main economic sectors contributing to global warming. Per the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 2014[i]<\/a>, 14.3% of the total worldwide emissions were caused by transportation.[ii]<\/a><\/p>\n Transportation emissions have more than doubled since 1970 and are expected to continue to grow, with more than 10% of total transportation emissions caused by domestic and international aviation.<\/p>\n As other transportation sectors progress towards sustainable energy and operations and expected to reduce emissions (for example, the automotive industry focuses on shared rides and electric cars), the portion of aviation emissions is expected to grow. Moreover, the demand for commercial aviation is only expected to increase. In fact, per the International Air Transport Association (IATA), passenger demand is expected to double in the next 20 years[iii]<\/a>. Economic growth, increasing worldwide urbanization and the emergence of global businesses all contribute to the increase in demand, and highlight the importance of reducing GHG emissions caused by aviation.<\/p>\n Boeing and the Motivation to Reduce Emissions<\/strong><\/p>\n Boeing, founded in 1916, has delivered more than 17,000 commercial airplanes to hundreds of airline companies around the world.[iv]<\/a> In 2015, the company manufactured and delivered 762 commercial airplanes[v]<\/a>, more than any other company in the world, including its main competitor Airbus[vi]<\/a>.<\/p>\n Many factors contribute to Boeing\u2019s motivation to reduce emissions:<\/p>\n Improving Efficiency<\/strong><\/p>\n Boeing had put heavy emphasis on environmental issues, as detailed in the company\u2019s 2016 environmental report.[ix]<\/a><\/p>\n Most effective steps thus far focused on efficient aircraft design: composite materials that reduce weight; improved aerodynamic design; and new turbo-fan engines with improved fuel efficiency. Using these methods, Boeing introduced the 787-Dreamliner in 2009, which reduced fuel consumption by up to 20% compared with the 767. However, design improvement has its limits \u2013 and the use of fossil fuels in the industry is still the only option. Or is it?<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>The Case for Biofuel<\/strong><\/p>\n Biofuels derive from biomass material such as plants and waste. They offer large savings in CO2 emissions because as plants that are the source for biofuel grow, they absorb CO2. That way, in a life-cycle of biofuel, the total carbon footprint can be drastically reduced, as shown in the next illustration.<\/p>\n Biofuel has proven feasibility as fossil fuel replacement, as opposed to other alternatives such as solar or electric power. It does not require extreme changes in current airplane design. Approved biofuel performs as well as traditional fuel, with some advantages such as higher energy content and lower freezing point. Since 2008, successful test flights have been conducted with fuel mixes comprised of up to 20% biofuel. Regulatory issues have also progressed, with ASTM approval for usage of biofuel in commercial flights[xi]<\/a>.<\/p>\n Boeing promotes many activities to commercialize biofuel in the near future: research and development of sustainable feedstock, expanding global biofuel supply, advocating for policies and regulations, reducing production costs and more. Progress has been significant.<\/p>\n Long-term, I believe the company should focus on a combined approach of airplane design and biofuel. Shifting to planes that run on 100% biofuel requires additional technological leap, with substantial R&D investment. But this move will be an important step towards truly sustainable and green commercial aviation.<\/p>\n (756 words)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [i]<\/a>\u00a0IPCC Climate Change 2014: Mitigation of Climate Change Chapter 8: Transport https:\/\/www.ipcc.ch\/pdf\/assessment-report\/ar5\/wg3\/ipcc_wg3_ar5_chapter8.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n [ii]<\/a> Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 2014, summary for policymakers https:\/\/www.ipcc.ch\/pdf\/assessment-report\/ar5\/wg3\/ipcc_wg3_ar5_summary-for-policymakers.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n [iii]<\/a> International Air Transport Association, http:\/\/www.iata.org\/pressroom\/pr\/Pages\/2015-11-26-01.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n [iv]<\/a> Boeing: Customers http:\/\/www.boeing.com\/commercial\/customers\/<\/a><\/p>\n [v]<\/a> Boeing: Boeing Achieves Record Commercial Airplane Deliveries, 2015. http:\/\/boeing.mediaroom.com\/2016-01-07-Boeing-Achieves-Record-Commercial-Airplanes-Deliveries-in-2015<\/a><\/p>\n [vi]<\/a> Airbus: Airbus exceeds targets in 2015. http:\/\/www.airbus.com\/presscentre\/pressreleases\/press-release-detail\/detail\/airbus-exceeds-targets-in-2015-delivers-the-most-aircraft-ever\/<\/a><\/p>\n [vii]<\/a> Scientific American: U.N. Agency Proposes Greenhouse Gas Standard for Aircraft https:\/\/www.scientificamerican.com\/article\/u-n-agency-proposes-greenhouse-gas-standard-for-aircraft\/<\/a><\/p>\n [viii]<\/a> Airbus: Eco-Efficiency http:\/\/www.airbus.com\/company\/eco-efficiency\/<\/a><\/p>\n [ix]<\/a> Boeing: 2016 Environmental Report http:\/\/www.boeing.com\/resources\/boeingdotcom\/principles\/environment\/pdf\/2016_environment_report.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n [x]<\/a> Air Transport Action Group: Sustainable Aviation Biofuels http:\/\/www.atag.org\/our-activities\/sustainable-aviation-biofuels.html<\/a><\/p>\n [xi]<\/a> ASTM: Aviation Fuel Standard Now Specifies Bioderived Components http:\/\/www.astmnewsroom.org\/default.aspx?pageid=2524<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In the pursuit to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions, we developed efficient airplanes that use less fuel. Technology improved aerodynamics, enhanced engine performance and reduced planes\u2019 weight. But we are still using the same fossil fuel we used since the inception of aviation. Can we change that?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1934,"featured_media":8078,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","categories":[285,107,943,889,141,271,457,37],"class_list":["post-8077","hck-submission","type-hck-submission","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-aerospace","category-airline","category-airplane","category-aviation","category-biofuels","category-design","category-fuel","category-innovation"],"connected_submission_link":"https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/assignment\/climate-change-challenge-2016\/","yoast_head":"\n![\"Transportation](\"https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/11\/1-1024x705.jpg\")
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![\"Life-cycle](\"https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/11\/3-1024x484.jpg\")
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