Analysis of sustainability transitions in aviation: the role of airports in the decabonization of aviation

Abstract

[EN] In light of rising environmental concerns, and with governments world-wide legislating for drastic GHG emission reductions, the aviation industry, being an important contributor to global warming, is facing strong pressures to transform. However, given the social and economic relevance of aviation as rapid transport method and an enabler of globalization, a reduction in aviation emissions is unlikely to come from reduced air transport. Instead, three aviation technologies have received increased attention within the literature for their potential to account for high emission reductions in the coming decades: biofuels, electric and hydrogen aircraft. Countries worldwide have committed to ambitious climate goals. Sweden, for example, is expecting to become fossil-free by 2045. However, are airports already preparing for the adoption of these technologies? What factors can help airports transform in this environmental transition? Is there something to be learnt from the early adopters? The present report draws information from a survey to Swedish commercial airports, and a round of interviews with industry experts, in order to shed light on these questions. By mapping the progress of airports through the survey, and analyzing its results using the Diffussion of Innovation Theory, it is possible to draw conclusions on how much progress airports in the Swedish context have made. Additionally, by collecting interview results and analyzing them through the Multi-level perspective, it is possible to understand the factors that favoured the adoption of new technologies by these leading airports.

[ES] Ante la creciente preocupación ambiental y legislaciones globales para reducir drásticamente las emisiones de efecto invernadero, la aviación, como importante contribuyente al calentamiento global, enfrenta presiones para transformarse. Sin embargo, debido a la relevancia social y económica de la aviación, la reducción de emisiones no puede venir de disminuir el tráfico aéreo. En cambio, tres tecnologías sostenibles han ganado atención: biocombustibles, motores eléctricos y de hidrógeno. Suecia planea tener una aviación libre de fósiles para 2045, y se enfrenta a la pregunta: ¿están los aeropuertos preparados para estas tecnologías? Este informe, basado en encuestas a aeropuertos suecos y entrevistas con expertos, utiliza la Teoría de la Difusión de Innovaciones y la perspectiva multinivel para analizar el progreso y éxito de los aeropuertos destacados en esta transición.