The aviation industry might not be the most environmental-friendly, but if the fuel used for airplanes could become more sustainable, it would go a long way in diminishing the industry’s environmental footprint. This is what researchers at the University of Georgia are trying to accomplish. The team believes they have a green fuel solution thanks to the plant Brassica carinata, a non-edible oilseed crop and a type of mustard plant.
Scientist Puneet Dwivedi, explains, in the study written about this project, that this “new” fuel could cut carbon emissions by up to 68 percent and that US agriculture would benefit from this solution too.
“If we can secure feedstock supply and provide suitable economic incentives along the supply chain, we could potentially produce carinata-based SAF in the southern United States.”
“Carinata-based SAF could help reduce the carbon footprint of the aviation sector while creating economic opportunities and improving the flow of ecosystem services across the southern region.”
The team behind this project hope their solution will help the US reach their goal of achieving a 20 percent reduction in aviation emissions by 2030 and a zero-carbon aviation sector by 2050.
Study: GCB Bioenergy – Break-even price and carbon emissions of carinata-based sustainable aviation fuel production in the Southeastern United States
