Both civil and military aviation affects deeply on global warming, not only for direct emissions of carbon dioxide but also for a series of atmospheric processes that amplify the greenhouse effect
Aviation emissions and their climatic impact
Each flight contributes to the placement in the atmosphere of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide (CO₂), nitrogen oxides (noₓ) and fine particulates. Specifically, carbon dioxide remains for centuries and represents the main responsible for global warming.
Nitrogen oxides instead react with atmospheric oxygen by promoting the formation of tropospheric ozone, a greenhouse gas with a particularly high global warming potential. At high altitude, these substances alter the composition of the stratospheric ozone, reducing its ability to shield ultraviolet rays.
The condensing trails, generated by the water vapor contained in the exhaust gases, contribute to the formation of artificial cirra, thin and persistent clouds that retain heat in the atmosphere. According to the Intergovernmental group on climate change (IPCC), the overall greenhouse green effect is up to three times higher than that caused by CO₂, due to the combination of these phenomena.
War and environmental deterioration linked to aviation
Armed conflicts further aggravate the picture, both for the increase in aeronautical activity and for the destruction of energy and industrial infrastructures.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine, which began in 2022, had disastrous consequences also on the environmental level. The block of the Russian airplane has forced many airlines to deviate intercontinental routes, increasing the duration of flights and, consequently, the consumption of fuel.
In 2023, flights between Europe and Asia required 14.8% more fuel than in previous years, while those between North America and Asia recorded an increase of 9.8%. Overall, the additional emissions due to the new trajectories have exceeded 8.2 million tons of CO₂, an equal value of several small states.
In addition to deviated air traffic, the conflict has caused the destruction of refineries, oil pipelines and power plants, causing long -lasting fires that have released huge quantities of particulate, polycyclic aromatic and dioxins in the air. The explosions and bombings raised fine dust and heavy metals, with consequences not only for the atmosphere, but also for the soil and the aquifers.
Military operations also generate an imposing amount of war waste: building debris, destroyed vehicles, unexploded ammunition and contaminated materials. The management of these waste represents an ecological challenge that persists well beyond the end of hostilities, leaving territories devastated and compromised for decades.
Transport and pollution: a historical analysis
The aeronautical sector is not the only one to have left a significant imprint on the environment. In the nineteenth century, the industrial revolution and the expansion of railway and maritime transport fueled a growing demand for coal. The steam locomotives and steamships emitted large quantities of soot and CO₂, while the deforestation On a large scale it served to satisfy the need for fuel for boilers.
With the advent of commercial aviation in the twentieth century, the pollution paradigm underwent evolution. In the 1960s, the spread of commercial jet multiplied air traffic, aggravating the problem of emissions.
The Concorde, a symbol of technological progress, consumed up to five times more fuel for passenger than a Boeing 747, helping to make the aviation one of the most energetic, as well as polluting industries.
Today, models such as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and the Airbus A350 have improved the efficiency of fuel consumption, reducing emissions up to 25% compared to previous generations. However, these progress is frustrated by the exponential increase in flights. In 2019, worldwide traffic exceeded 38 million flights and the number is destined to grow with the post-Pandemic economic recovery and the expansion of low-cost companies.
Strategies to reduce the environmental impact of air transport
Tackling the climatic crisis requires a profound rethinking of the aviation sector. One of the most promising solutions is the development of Sustainable fuels (SAF, Sustainable Aviation Fuel), derived from biomass or hydrogen. These fuels could reduce carbon emissions up to 80%, but their production remains limited and high costs hinder their large -scale diffusion.
Improvement of aerial routes and traffic optimization can reduce fuel consumption of up to 10%. The use of artificial intelligence for flight planning, exploiting favorable atmospheric conditions, could further increase efficiency.
Electric and hydrogen planes represent a concrete perspective, but their large -scale implementation will still require decades. In the meantime, an immediately applicable strategy consists in reducing short -range flights. Some governments are already adopting measures in this direction: France has forbidden internal flights when there is a competitive railway alternative.
In short, while airlines invest in more sustainable technologies, the unstoppable growth of air traffic continues to represent an obstacle to the decarbonisation of the sector. Without a drastic reduction of superfluous flights and an enhancement of alternative transport, the climatic impact of the aviation will remain an unsolved problem. The future of mobility will necessarily have to combine technological innovation and a revision of travel habits, placing sustainability at the center of global policies.