Airlines Face Carbon Impact Transparency

The Civil Aviation Authority, in a significant move, has empowered consumers, asserting that they should be able to make more informed travel decisions when booking flights and holiday packages. This proactive step puts the power in the hands of the travellers, allowing them to make choices that align with their concerns.??

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Passengers need measures that are "accurate, easy to understand and use" and will also likely be informed about the carbon footprint of their individual flights, the CAA said as it launched a consultation on the plan at the Farnborough Air Show.??

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The CAA director of policy, Tim Johnson, said: "Providing consumers with accessible, transparent and accurate environmental information is essential to making more informed travel choices.?

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"Our new proposals aim to standardise this information across all platforms, enabling passengers to more easily compare the environmental impact of their flights. This initiative is a significant step towards greater transparency and improved sustainability in the aviation industry."?

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The directive may be implemented in early 2025. Certain airlines release monthly reports showing average CO2 emissions per passenger flight, which are typically lowest for modern, fuel-efficient aircraft with maximum passenger capacity.?

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In the future, CO2 calculations will likely take into account the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). By 2030, airlines are expected to incorporate at least 10% SAF in their fuel mix, which is a significant step towards reducing emissions in the aviation industry.?

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While SAF still emits CO2 during flight, advocates claim that its "life cycle emissions" are up to 70% lower than traditional jet fuel, thanks to using raw materials such as waste and recycled cooking oil to produce the fuel.??

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Airlines currently rely on SAF, which is much more expensive to produce than kerosene. However, the UK aims to build at least five commercial SAF facilities by the end of 2025, and the government has announced proposed revenue capture mechanisms to boost investment in this new sector.?

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Brookfield believes that the CAA's move to prioritise consumer transparency and sustainability is a promising sign. With the potential for widespread adoption of sustainable aviation fuels and the growing availability of environmental information, passengers can increasingly make choices that align with their values and contribute to a greener future.?