The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate change has set a tough target to improve the health of our planet. The panel wants the world to achieve zero carbon emission by 2050. It is a tough challenge because climate change is pushing the world to its ruin and Renewable Energy is the answer. Hence, aerospace companies attending the 2019 paris air show have a major role to play. They will have to reveal their ideas for using alternatives, like electricity, to power airplanes. In the opinion of experts, the number of flights will double in the next two decades and the world must be prepared to not just face the severity of the problem but also to find a solution.

The Guardian reports that aviation contributes very little to greenhouse gas emissions. However, there is a need to examine the issue and work out some solutions in the interest of society as a whole. Engineers must evolve strategies to introduce low weight batteries that can be fitted for aircraft undertaking short haul trips.

Big names like Boeing and Airbus have plans

The hope is that the industry will embrace hybrid and electric engines for short distance travel quite soon.

This is based on a report published recently by an investment bank. The prediction is a requirement of more than 500 hybrid planes between 2028 and 2040. They will operate on a mixture of fossil fuel and electric power. A Seattle-based electric engine company will attend the air show with plans of powering seaplanes using electric propulsion.

These are applications in small pockets like air taxis and must expand to cover larger areas.

The Guardian adds that Airbus does not want to be left out of the race. It realizes that it has to invest in electric technology if it is to survive. Airbus already has a huge order backlog of carbon-emitting planes. In spite of that, it must not ignore the mood of the industry but have a forward-thinking outlook.

An official of Airbus looks at “reducing our CO2 emissions as a necessity.” Many companies like Uber and Lilium are concentrating on air taxis that run on electricity. The bottom line is that the world must accept the fact that days of fossil fuels are over. The industry must, therefore, shift gears and encourage alternatives.

Aviation industry wants to reduce CO2 emission

According to the BBC, all aircraft manufacturers realize the need to reduce CO2 emissions. Commercial flights account for 2.5 percent of global greenhouse gasses, however, with rising passenger numbers, it is important to focus on how best to reduce overall CO2 emissions. It could include a combination of battery-powered aircraft, alternative fuels, and lighter materials.

The 2019 Paris air show will focus on unmanned aircraft, lighter and stronger alloys and composite materials and, of course, on all-electric aircraft engines. Incidentally, a US firm is working with North America's largest seaplane operator to retrofit the entire fleet with electric engines. That will be a major achievement.
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