The aviation industry sees hydrogen-fueled planes as a way to decarbonize the industry, but research issued by an environmental organization concluded that they will only help restrict carbon dioxide emissions.
When hydrogen is burned, it creates no climate-warming carbon dioxide, only water.
Although most hydrogen production now emits pollutants, automakers and plane makers alike have been looking at it as a way to lessen the transportation sector’s climate effect.
The aviation industry expects to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 by putting hydrogen-fueled planes into service starting in 2035.
If utilizing hydrogen on long-haul flights isn’t feasible owing to the volume of gas required, “for short- to medium-haul trips where hydrogen aircraft are practicable, these planes might nearly eliminate carbon emissions,” according to the International Council on Clean Transportation’s research (ICCT).
Airbus has set a target date of 2035 for the introduction of hydrogen passenger aircraft to the market. It plans to construct a single-aisle turbofan jet as well as a turboprop commuter plane.
According to the ICCT, hydrogen storage would lower the range of such aircraft compared to existing aircraft that utilize conventional fuels, but they could still carry up to a third of global aviation traffic.
The ICCT determined that a 100% take-up of green hydrogen-powered aircraft on suitable routes would “lower aviation’s carbon emissions by 31% in 2050, reflecting a capping of emissions at 2035 levels.” Carbon emissions would be reduced by 6% to 12% if 20% to 40% of people signed up for the program.
Green hydrogen, according to the study, would be less expensive than synthetic fuels, which might also help to cut carbon emissions.
According to the ICCT, carbon taxes would be required to erase the pricing advantage of petroleum-based aviation fuel.
