How to design aircraft in times of the climate crisis : are we losing our social license to operate? ; Aircraft design and the SLO

Abstract

Purpose – What possibilities exist to design aircraft such that their operation is causing less global warming or even avoids it? Can this be communicated to society in a credible way to maintain or regain trust? Is the concept of the Social License to Operate (SLO) a helpful tool to manage this communication? --- Methodology – A literature review combined with a summary of own research and teaching. --- Findings – Current aviation growth is unsustainable. Flying less is necessary and a simple answer that works, but does not fulfil mobility expectations of society. A modern large turboprop (180 seats) flying slower and lower than a jet, fueled with e-fuel from renewable energy and CO2 (eventually) from Direct Air Capture (DAC), plus Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) – with its problems – to compensate for remaining non-CO2 effects would be a first meaningful step. --- Research limitations – There are no simple technical solutions for aviation. --- Practical implications – Many arguments are given in one place. --- Originality – A discussion of the Social License to Operate (SLO) applied to aviation, compared to Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) and aviation ethics was not found in the literature.