Main content

Will 'sustainable' fuels transform air travel?

The air industry's plan to reach net zero by 2050 rests on using new "sustainable" fuels such as plants or used cooking oil. Will it work?

The future of flying might depend on used cooking oil, plants and green electricity. Sustainable aviation fuels, known as SAF, are made from less carbon-intensive processes and renewable sources. Airlines are touting them as the key to decarbonising flying.

The aviation industry has pledged to move from 2.5% of all global CO2 emissions to net zero by 2050 鈥� with these alternative fuels being the cornerstone of the strategy. However, there鈥檚 little SAF actually being produced, it, and it鈥檚 much more expensive than fossil fuels. Can the technologies really take off?

Climate Question host Graihagh Jackson investigates, with reporting from the 主播大秀's Monica Miller in Malaysia and Singapore.

Presenter: Graihagh Jackson
Producer: Osman Iqbal
Researcher: Octavia Woodward
Editor: Simon Watts
Sound engineer: Tom Brignell

Available now

24 minutes

Last on

Wed 10 Jan 2024 21:06GMT
主播大秀 World Service except Online, Americas and the Caribbean, Europe and the Middle East & UK DAB/Freeview

More episodes

Previous

Who's doing best on fighting climate change?

Next

Tidal power: What鈥檚 holding it back?

See all episodes from The Climate Question

Broadcasts

  • Sun 7 Jan 2024 14:32GMT
    主播大秀 World Service News Internet
  • Sun 7 Jan 2024 23:06GMT
    主播大秀 World Service & 主播大秀 Afghan Radio
  • Wed 10 Jan 2024 02:32GMT
    主播大秀 World Service
  • Wed 10 Jan 2024 09:32GMT
    主播大秀 World Service
  • Wed 10 Jan 2024 13:32GMT
    主播大秀 World Service South Asia & East Asia only
  • Wed 10 Jan 2024 20:06GMT
    主播大秀 World Service Online, Americas and the Caribbean, UK DAB/Freeview & Europe and the Middle East only & 主播大秀 Afghan Radio
  • Wed 10 Jan 2024 21:06GMT
    主播大秀 World Service except Online, Americas and the Caribbean, Europe and the Middle East & UK DAB/Freeview

Podcast