Staff Blog
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How the long shadow of model inputs could dilute the ambition of the Biden Administration’s SAF Grand Challenge
Explore how U.S. airlines and ethanol producers are seeking to alter the way greenhouse gas emissions from sustainable aviation fuels are calculated, which may affect the Biden Administration’s efforts to reduce emissions.

An aviation researcher’s ode to the train
Trains are not just more sustainable than short-haul flights, they can also save time and provide a better overall travel experience.

Fair fares for the climate
Airlines already have the pricing strategies they need to help fund net-zero targets in an equitable way.

Would a frequent flying tax be progressive?
In September 2022, we published a proposal for using a global frequent flying levy (FFL) to cover the estimated abatement cost of commercial aviation. Now we investigate whether this solution is progressive or regressive.

Will California rise to the Biden administration’s SAF Grand Challenge?
Although sustainable aviation fuels have faced some stumbling blocks, several measures are available to support SAF scaleup

Quick pit stops: A challenge for zero-emission planes?
Analyzes the charging and refueling speeds needed for zero-emission aircraft to match the gate turnaround times of conventional aircraft.

Sustainable aviation fuels: What does real leadership look like?
Argues that in the effort to ramp up production of sustainable aviation fuels, mandating their use is smarter than subsidizing their production.

What to expect when expecting electric airplanes
Assesses the potential of battery-powered aircraft to replace regional, narrowbody, and widebody aircraft.

Zero cheers for the supersoynic renaissance
Assesses the environmental impact of supersonic aircraft in light of U.S. support for alternative jet fuels produced from crops like soybeans.

The tortoise and the hare? The race to decarbonize aviation
Explores whether aviation emissions can be greatly reduced if air traffic returns to its pre-pandemic rapid growth.

Flying on the Grid
Argues that unless alternative aviation fuels are produced using additional and renewable electricity, their use will not necessarily decarbonize aviation and could actually increase aviation’s GHG emissions.

Hungry Hungry Airlines
Critiques the Biden Administration’s approach to development of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) and suggests an alternative path.
