Main thematic area: Economics/Science/Technology Cost: £/££/£££ Strategies for a low carbon aviation future
Background Some scenarios suggest that if current trends continue, the aviation sector might account for at least 90% of UK permissible emissions in 2050 under a ‘carbon constrained’ future. This maybe an unrealistically harsh view but it acknowledges the difficulty in delivering emissions solutions as demand increases.
Radically reducing carbon emissions from aviation will require major changes to either travel patterns or the technologies used for long distance passenger transportation. The aviation sector is highly innovative but • How might aviation’s role change in changing the direction of technological the light of new technology eg future development will involve levels of generation communications or radical investment and changes in business transport technology? structures that the industry is not currently • What lessons can be learned from considering. the histories of analogous technological challenges? Study aims This project will address what combinations Strategic approach of social, political, institutional and The uptake of different technological technological changes are required – and options for reducing the environmental indeed feasible – in order to keep aviation impacts of aviation depends on the extent emissions at or close to current levels or to which these make commercial and even reduce them. The investigation will strategic sense for those in the aviation suggest possible policy developments – industry (including manufacturers, airlines around changes to social functions of and airport operators). aviation, industry structures, engineering analyses and technology pathways – in A multidisciplinary analysis of different order that sustainable and viable ways options and technology pathways would be forward can be found for the sector. of interest to both industry and policy makers. It can inform scenario Key questions development. It is vital to develop a realistic The study will address some key questions, understanding of the possible range of for example: responses by firms in the aviation sector to • What are the different functions of the incentives that policies will create. aviation in society and how do These responses are not just changes in industrial and regulatory structures prices to passengers and logistics for firms, determine aviation growth and but also decisions on investment in impacts? infrastructure, new technologies for aircraft • What will encourage the industry to and expansion of route networks. invest in radically new technologies?
Lead: University of Cambridge Principal investigator: Dr Clive Lawson Duration: 12 months E-mail: [email protected] Partner: Cranfield
www.omega.mmu.ac.uk Omega is funded by HEFCE
Manchester Metropolitan University / Cranfield University / University of Cambridge / University of Oxford University of Sheffield / University of Leeds / University of Reading / University of Southampton / Loughborough University