Jet biofuels are not necessarily less carbon intensive than fossil fuels, say researchers. In a side-by-side comparison of emissions, they found some grasses performed best. Two types of perennial grasses offer the greatest global potential for producing lower-carbon aviation fuels, according to a new analysis. The study provides some of the most comprehensive evidence yet about which biofuel crops to grow and where in order to gain the greatest environmental benefits.
An international agreement, the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), requires airlines to purchase carbon offsets or to swap out petroleum-based kerosene jet fuel for renewable biofuels. The aim is to cap the carbon emissions of international air travel at 2019 levels, and, ideally, achieve net zero international aviation by 2050.
But when it comes to renewable aviation fuel, the devil is in the details…