Aviation is a notoriously hard-to-abate sector, with many environmental campaigners and experts arguing that there is no choice but to reduce flying in order to reach net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050. Most efforts to reduce emissions at present are focused on increasing the fraction of fuel sourced sustainably, although sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) remains relatively inaccessible and expensive.
Airbus has sought to lead in the transition to greener aviation, demonstrating zero-emission aircraft concepts last year (eschewing batteries in favour of hydrogen) which it said could enter service by 2035. For its part, Boeing has been more cautious in its public statements regarding the long-term switch to battery and hydrogen-powered aircraft. The latter has said that it is too early to think about hydrogen as a fuel for a future 737 successor and has stated that its focus remains on SAF.
Paul Eremenko, CEO of Universal Hydrogen, has countered Boeing’s assertions...