Aviation carbon transfer and compensation of international routes in Africa from 2019 to 2021

As an underdeveloped region, the aviation industry in Africa is developing rapidly, and its carbon emissions play an essential role in achieving carbon neutrality in the aviation industry in underdeveloped areas. However, the problem of carbon transfer caused by passenger flow on international routes has not been addressed, especially in Africa. This paper first calculates the CO2 emissions of African international routes from 2019 to 2021 based on the Modified Fuel Percentage Method (MFPM) and the ICAO standard methods. Then, we measure African routes' carbon transfer and carbon compensation. The most carbon transfer routes between African countries and from countries outside Africa to African countries are from Ethiopia to Kenya and from Honduras to Ghana. Relatively poor countries bear a significant amount of carbon transfer.

Automated summary

Africa, as an underdeveloped region, has a rapidly developing aviation industry that plays a crucial role in achieving carbon neutrality. However, the problem of carbon transfer caused by passenger flow on international routes, particularly in Africa, has not been addressed. This study calculates the CO2 emissions of African international routes from 2019 to 2021 and measures carbon transfer and compensation. The routes with the most carbon transfer are from Ethiopia to Kenya and from Honduras to Ghana, burdening relatively poorer countries.