Scrapping business class could halve aviation emissions
Differences in CO2 emissions can be explained by the share of occupied seats, the aircraft models used on a route and the cabin layout
Add BT as a preferred source
AIR travel is famously one of the hardest sectors to decarbonise, and the number of air passengers keeps increasing. Electric planes and sustainable aviation fuels are still a long way off making a dent in the industry’s emissions – if they ever will.
But new research shows aviation could still cut its climate impact dramatically, simply by using planes more efficiently. In fact, rethinking cabin layouts alone could slash emissions by up to half.
From 1980 to 2019, the share of occupied seats in commercial air planes increased from 63 to 82 per cent. Airlines already have strong commercial incentives to sell every seat – empty ones cost money as well as carbon.
TRENDING NOW
Singapore at 61: How we can ensure opportunity, security and ownership for the next generation
With tech for fact-checking to cancer care, Singapore startups aim beyond home
Vietnam seeks US$76 billion a year from capital markets to ease reliance on banks
How BYD disrupted Singapore’s car market – and why the strategy is turning on itself
