title: Life-cycle analysis of greenhouse gas emissions from renewable jet fuel production.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The introduction of renewable jet fuel (RJF) is considered an important emission mitigation measure for the aviation industry. This study compares the well-to-wake (WtWa) greenhouse gas (GHG) emission performance of multiple RJF conversion pathways and explores the impact of different co-product allocation methods. The insights obtained in this study are of particular importance if RJF is included as an emission mitigation instrument in the global Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fischer-Tropsch pathways yield the highest GHG emission reduction compared to fossil jet fuel (86-104%) of the pathways in scope, followed by Hydrothermal Liquefaction (77-80%) and sugarcane- (71-75%) and corn stover-based Alcohol-to-Jet (60-75%). Feedstock cultivation, hydrogen and conversion inputs were shown to be major contributors to the overall WtWa GHG emission performance. The choice of allocation method mainly affects pathways yielding high shares of co-products or producing co-products which effectively displace carbon intensive products (e.g., electricity).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Renewable jet fuel can contribute to significant reduction of aviation-related GHG emissions, provided the right feedstock and conversion technology are used. The GHG emission performance of RJF may be further improved by using sustainable hydrogen sources or applying carbon capture and storage. Based on the character and impact of different co-product allocation methods, we recommend using energy and economic allocation (for non-energy co-products) at a global level, as it leverages the universal character of energy allocation while adequately valuing non-energy co-products.
authors.affiliation: Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 2, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Sierk
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-8110-4527
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: de Jong
authors.affiliation: Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 2, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Kay
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Antonissen
authors.affiliation: Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 2, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Ric
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hoefnagels
authors.affiliation: European Commission-Directorate for Energy, Transport and Climate, Sustainable Transport Unit, EC-Joint Research Centre, Via E. Fermi 2749, 27027 Ispra, Italy.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lonza
authors.affiliation: Systems Assessment Group, Energy Systems Division, Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 S. Cass Avenue, Lemont, IL 60439-4844 USA.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Energy Academy Europe, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 6, Groningen, 9700 AE The Netherlands.
authors.forename: André
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Faaij
authors.affiliation: Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 2, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Junginger
keywords: Alternative jet fuel; Aviation; Bioenergy; Biofuel; Climate change; Greenhouse gas emissions; Life-cycle assessment; Renewable jet fuel