Cambridge Study Proposes Slower Flights to Curb Aviation Emissions

The study outlines five sustainable aviation goals to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, urging immediate action to transform the industry.

The aviation industry is responsible for around 4% of man-made climate change, emitting 915 million tonnes of CO2 in 2019.
Reducing flight speeds by 15% could cut fuel burn by 5-7%, though it would require significant changes across the aviation sector.
Switching to sustainable aviation fuels is costly and currently impractical due to limited supply, potentially raising ticket prices by up to 81%.
The study suggests avoiding contrail formation by altering flight paths, which could minimally increase fuel use but significantly reduce climate impact.
Restricting short-haul flights in favor of rail alternatives could significantly cut emissions, as demonstrated by France's policy.