July Sustainability Spotlight

France has banned domestic short-haul flights where train alternatives exist, in a bit to cut carbon emissions. The law has come into force two years after lawmakers had voted to end routes where the same journey could be made by train in under two-and-a-half hours. The ban all but rules out air travel between Paris and cities including Nantes, Lyon and Bordeaux, while connecting flights are unaffected.

 

Nations commit to develop a legally binding agreement in the campaign to beat plastic pollution

175 nations have agreed to develop a legally binding agreement on plastic pollution by 2024, prompting a major step towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions from plastic production, use and disposal.

Successful test flight of hydrogen-powered plane gives sustainable aviation a lift

We might soon be travelling on aircraft that cruise through the skies on hydrogen instead of fossil fuels. Green hydrogen is generated when electricity runs through water. This means water vapor is the only emission trailing a hydrogen airplane if the electricity is from renewable sources.

The current technology is only designed for short haul flights at the moment, with talks of these aircrafts entering passenger services from 2025, with carriers in the US and Europe. There is work happening on developing a jet engine that can burn hydrogen for long-haul aircrafts.

follow us

@thesourceunitedkingdom🌱