A Comparison of Aviation Greenhouse Gas Emission Mitigation Policies for Europe

Abstract

This paper integrates the results of a set of studies looking at UK and European aviation environmental policy measures. It uses a model of the European air transport system to assess the economic costs and environmental benefits associated with proposed emission mitigation strategies. In particular, we con centrate on the potential penetration of fuelsaving technologies and operations, lower carbon alternative fuels and high-speed rail in response to the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme, and the effect on CO2 emissions that this has in both the UK and Europe. A special emphasis is placed on the interaction effects of multiple mitigation policies. We find that a combination of policies could potentially allow UK and European lifecycle aviation CO2 emissions in 2050 to be reduced to below year-2005 levels. Although other operational and technological measures can reduce aviation CO2 emissions by up to 15% compared to an unconstrained base case, the largest part of this reduction comes from the interaction between carbon trading and cellulosic biomass fuels.