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Pathways towards 90% decarbonization of aviation by 2050

Demand for aviation will increase by 2–3-fold by 2050. Nonetheless, 90% decarbonization compared with 2019 can be achieved by continued efficiency gains in aircraft and operations, and by the use of ultra-green fuels derived from biomass or clean electricity. Achieving this decarbonization goal will require an increase in airfares of up to approximately 15%.

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Fig. 1: Model outputs for the combined biofuels + PTL pathway towards net-zero climate impact in 2050.

References

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This is a summary of: Dray, L. et al. Cost and emissions pathways towards net-zero climate impacts in aviation. Nat. Clim. Change https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-022-01485-4 (2022).

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Pathways towards 90% decarbonization of aviation by 2050. Nat. Clim. Chang. 12, 895–896 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-022-01486-3

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