Fuel tankering in relation to a Dutch CO2 ceiling for aviation

Consequence of refueling for CO₂ emission ceiling

A basic design choice for this CO₂ emission ceiling is whether to use CO₂ emission data derived from aviation fuel sales data (bunker-fuels) or from a modelling approach. A potential problem related to bunker-fuels data could be that not all fuel taken onboard on departing flights is actually required for safe operation of the flight. Tankering is the process where more fuel is taken on board than necessary for safe operation of a flight. Tankering could undermine the effectiveness of a bunker-fuel-based CO₂ emission ceiling. Airlines might be able to partially avoid the impact of a CO₂ emission ceiling by taking on more fuel on incoming flights to the Netherlands (inbound tankering), as such lowering the need to refuel in the Netherlands.

Advanced modelling

A modelling approach is insensitive to tankering and can include other behavioural responses to a CO₂ emission ceiling as well. More research is needed to investigate whether advanced modelling would improve setting the ceiling and monitoring emissions.

Monitoring CO₂ emissions from flights departing from the Netherlands

A recent legislative proposal by the European Commission would reduce the risk of tankering, as the EU proposes that at least 90% of the fuel required for a particular flight has to be taken onboard at the airport of departure. Although no data for the benchmark year 2005 will be available, the government could investigate the potential of this independently verified data as a basis for monitoring CO₂ emissions from flights departing from the Netherlands.