Bio-fuel is the most viable alternative for the civil aviation sector to maintain both financial and environmental sustainability in the long term. Therefore, bio-fuel is the panacea for the industry’s sustainability concerns.
Apprehension over the airline industry’s contribution to global warming and overall environmental degradation has triggered the quest for alternative fuels. Accordingly, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) considers investment and innovation in developing sustainable biofuels as a manifestation of the industry’s commitment to addressing sustainability issues (n.d). The significance of biofuels, both environmentally and financially, will be more apparent as the industry tries to recover from the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Bellamy (2020) explains that increased fuel consumption is an inevitable outcome of the post pandemic recovery phase for the sector as normal flights resume. Airlines must be proactive to mitigate the associated financial burden as well as the environmental repercussions caused by increased carbon emissions. Biofuels provide the perfect solution for airlines seeking to avert both financial and environmental concerns.
The production of biofuels is markedly more cost effective compared to the acquisition and processing of fossil fuels. Biofuels are products of biomass—which primarily comprises of waste—and are, therefore, renewable forms of energy that are formed over a relatively short period. In contrast, fossil fuels form over long periods and demand complex and expensive processes to obtain and harness into usable forms of energy. Additionally, the environmental repercussions of such production are adverse as mining fossil fuels leads to deforestation, soil erosion, and land degradation. Carbon emissions associated with fossil fuels also make a better case for the embrace of biofuels.
Biofuels constitute the future of the civil aviation industry because of their cost savings and environmental sustainability potential. They are easier and cheaper to produce and are more environmentally sound compared to fossil fuels.
References
Bellamy, W. (2020). Innovation, challenges fluctuate as COVID-19 uncertainty continues. Avionics International.
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). ICAO Global Framework for Aviation Alternative Fuels. ICAO Environment.