ANA Holdings Inc., a major aviation company, has set a goal to reduce carbon dioxide emissions to virtually zero by 2050.

To achieve this, the challenge is to establish a system that can stably procure jet fuel from raw materials other than petroleum in collaboration with the energy industry.

ANA Holdings emits more than 12 million tons of carbon dioxide annually as of FY2019, but has set a goal of achieving "carbon neutral", which will be virtually zero as a whole in FY2050.



To reduce emissions, we will switch to new fuel-efficient aircraft and introduce jet fuel made from raw materials other than petroleum, such as food waste and factory exhaust gas.



Furthermore, by utilizing emissions trading, we plan to reduce emissions to virtually zero as a whole.



As the aviation industry, which emits a lot of carbon dioxide, is being scrutinized worldwide, Japan Airlines has set a goal of virtually zero emissions by 2050.



In order to achieve the goal, it is indispensable to popularize jet fuel using raw materials other than petroleum, and it is an issue to reduce the cost of fuel and establish a system for stable procurement in cooperation with the energy industry.

Airline companies around the world rush to respond to decarbonization

Efforts to decarbonize are accelerating in the overseas aviation industry due to heightened environmental awareness and tightening of regulations.



Airplanes emit more carbon dioxide than railroads, so they are being scrutinized mainly in Europe, and the word "flying shame" has been coined to mean that it is embarrassing to board an airplane.



Under these circumstances, international regulations have been introduced.

The ICAO = International Civil Aviation Organization requires international flights to ensure that the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by aircraft does not exceed 2019 in the future.



Airlines around the world are also rushing to respond.


United Airlines announced this month that it will begin joint purchasing of jet fuel from non-petroleum sources with companies that use their aircraft for business trips and freight transport.



Although these fuels are expensive and their production volume is limited, joint purchase makes it easier to procure them in a stable manner, which is said to lead to reductions in emissions for partner companies.



KLM Royal Dutch Airlines of the Netherlands plans to reduce flights on short-haul routes that compete with railroads, and is working with domestic universities to develop next-generation aircraft that reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Japan Airlines To Practical Use of New Fuels Other Than Petroleum

Japanese airlines are beginning to move to the commercialization of fuels made from raw materials other than petroleum.



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ANA Holdings began operating regular flights in November last year using fuel made from food waste and other raw materials.



The raw material is waste such as fat that is discarded in the process of meat processing, and the amount of carbon dioxide emitted can be reduced by about 90% compared to conventional fuel, including the manufacturing process.



ANA is also considering the use of fuel made from the oil component extracted from Euglena in collaboration with Japanese venture companies.



Furthermore, in partnership with Toshiba, Toyo Engineering, Idemitsu Kosan, etc., we have embarked on the development of fuel using carbon dioxide emitted from factories as a raw material, aiming for practical use in the latter half of the 2020s.



On the other hand, Japan Airlines invested in an American company that has the technology to process used clothes and waste plastics as fuel three years ago, and is aiming to introduce it within the next fiscal year.



In addition, we are aiming to put waste plastic-based fuel into practical use in collaboration with major trading companies, and in February we held a commemorative flight for the Tokyo Games with used-clothes-based fuel. ..

The country is decarbonizing aircraft

In Japan, work has begun to formulate a process chart that includes the necessary efforts and schedules for the decarbonization of aircraft.



ICAO = The International Civil Aviation Organization has begun efforts to regulate carbon dioxide emissions on international flights.



To comply with this regulation, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism set up a study group made up of experts in transportation policy and energy policy, and held its first meeting in March.



The study group will consider specific initiatives and issues regarding the spread of biofuels that emit less carbon dioxide and how to flexibly set flight routes that use meteorological data to reduce the burden on aircraft engines.



We will also formulate a process chart by the end of the year, keeping in mind the compliance with ICAO regulations and the government's goal of achieving carbon neutrality in 2050.