British Airways operated what was billed as a “carbon neutral” flight this week between London and Glasgow, as it tries to burnish its green credentials in the lead-in to next month’s COP26 climate summit in Scotland. While it was a lower-emissions flight, the attempt by IAG’s flagship airline to apply a zero-carbon label exposes the problems that the aviation industry faces in cutting emissions while also trying to meet demand set to resume following the coronavirus pandemic. The aviation industry has no silver-bullet solution to the growing emissions problem. Planes can only become so much more fuel efficient until a new generation of hydrogen technology arrives. In the meantime, there’s not enough supply of sustainable aviation fuel, and a lack of transparency means it’s unclear whether offsets are actually helping to cut emissions. “Zero-emission aircraft are still on the drawing board, and sustainable aviation fuel is only available in tiny quantities,” said Matt Finch, UK policy manager at campaign group Transport & Environment. “Neither will be widely available till the 2030s, and yet the industry is touting these as a way to decarbonize now.” The trip to Glasgow ahead of COP26, which starts Oct. 31, was a redux of a similar one BA took in 2010, using an Airbus A321. Billed as the Perfect Flight, it went from London Heathrow to Edinburgh, and highlighted the savings available in fuel and emissions through route optimization. In 2021, BA is used a newer, more-efficient A320neo powered with a blend of 35% SAF mixed with conventional kerosene. Emissions were 62% lower on this week’s flight, BA said. Story has more details.<br/>