The shipping industry plays a significant role in the global economy, but it also contributes significantly to global emissions. It is estimated that shipping accounts for 1.7% of global emissions, with a significant 40% of that figure being attributed to the transportation of fossil fuels. This means that approximately 1% of global emissions are generated solely from moving fossil fuels across the globe.
However, it’s not just this sector of transportation that has a significant environmental impact. Air travel, despite being a popular and convenient mode of transport, has long been scrutinized for its contribution to global emissions. Interestingly, flight prices are often considered too low when factoring in their environmental cost. This cost, unfortunately, is borne by the global community, not just those who are traveling by air.
This has sparked an ongoing debate about whether airlines are truly meeting their environmental obligations. Critics point to issues such as the low or non-existent tax on kerosene and accusations of greenwashing, where companies give a false impression of their environmental friendliness.
Complicating the matter further, reports suggest that there is a significant discrepancy in aviation emission statistics. The actual emissions from aviation are believed to be up to 50% higher than what is reported to the United Nations. This discrepancy is largely due to non-reporting from certain countries, with China being a notable example.
In an effort to gain more accurate data, big data has been used for the first time to calculate per-country greenhouse gas emissions from aviation. This calculation includes the 197 countries covered by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change treaty.
The data revealed some surprising figures. China, despite not voluntarily reporting its 2019 aviation-related emissions, was found to be second only to the United States in total aviation-related emissions.
Interestingly, Norway, a country with a relatively small population, ranked third in the world for per capita domestic aviation emissions according to the study.
The study’s model, named AviTeam, demonstrates the potential of big data in regulating climate emissions and supporting decarbonization strategies in the aviation industry. Notably, it provided emission information for 45 lesser-developed countries for the first time, marking a significant step forward in global emission monitoring.
The use of big data in this context can provide a more accurate picture of global emissions, allowing for more effective strategies to reduce the environmental impact of transportation. As the world continues to grapple with the challenge of climate change, such data-driven approaches will be crucial in creating a more sustainable future.
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