The aviation industry has looked toward hydrogen-fuelled planes as a solution to decarbonize the sector, but a report by an environmental group released Wednesday found that they will only help to limit carbon dioxide emissions.
Using hydrogen as fuel produces no climate-warming carbon dioxide when it burns, just water.
Automakers and planemakers alike have been looking at it as a means to reduce the environmental impact of the transportation sector, although currently, most production of hydrogen creates emissions.
The introduction of hydrogen-fuelled planes in 2035 is one way the aviation industry hopes it can reach net-zero carbon emissions in 2050.
If using hydrogen on long-haul aircraft is impossible due to the volume of gas needed, "on the short- to medium-haul flights where hydrogen aircraft are viable, these planes could virtually eliminate carbon emissions," said the report by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT).
Aircraft manufacturer Airbus has targeted 2035 to bring hydrogen passenger aircraft to the market and is looking at developing both a single-aisle turbofan jet and a turboprop commuter aircraft.
The ICCT said hydrogen storage would reduce the range of such aircraft compared to current aircraft using conventional fuels but that, nevertheless, they could be used to carry up to a third of global air traffic.
If there was a 100% use of aircraft using green hydrogen on eligible routes, the ICCT found it would "reduce aviation’s carbon emissions by 31% in 2050, representing a capping of emissions at 2035 levels."
A use of 20%-40% would result in a 6%-12% drop in carbon emissions.
The study estimated that green hydrogen would be cheaper than synthetic fuels that could also provide a means to reduce carbon emissions.
The ICCT said carbon taxes would be needed to eliminate the price advantage of jet fuel produced from petroleum.
