With aviation such a large contributor to CO2 emissions, what viable method of transport could replace it in the future? Is Hyperloop a possible solution?
We know that the UK faces huge challenges if it wants to hit its target of cutting greenhouse gas emissions to almost zero by 2050.
We also know that many say that date is far too late, with activists urging the government to get to net zero by 2025.
Back in June, the UK was also accused of ignoring its obligations on aviation emissions which, according to Carbon Brief as referenced by The Guardian, accounted for 895m tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions last year alone.
It goes on to state that if aviation were a country, it’d be the sixth largest emitter in the world.
Record numbers of flights
If the UK and indeed, the entire world, is to meet its bold targets for emissions, it would seem that cutting down on air travel will eventually be essential.
That’s all well and good but, in July, a record 225,000 flights were tracked in just one day for the first time ever.
Yesterday, we tracked over 225,000 flights in a single day for the first time. Follow more than 20,000 flights right now at https://t.co/A4mWRJu9Vi. pic.twitter.com/Pxh21WiAy3
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) July 25, 2019
Increasing demand and even plans for airport expansions in the UK do feel at odds with the targets being set. With that in mind, what could replace air travel in the future?
Could Hyperloop replace planes?
If planes were out of the picture, rail would seem to be the next best bet in terms of speed, but even the quickest trains can’t compete with flight times. Is that where Hyperloop could come in?
The concept is for an ultra-fast underground-style system that carries passengers in magnetically-propelled pods through low-pressure tubes.
The idea is clearly still a long way off for now, with many of the hugely expensive projects to research it and build test tracks resulting in failure.
It’s highly unlikely we’ll be seeing any versions of Hyperloop come to fruition any time soon, but is it an example of what the future of long-distance transportation might look like?
With geographic, political and economic factors to consider, any future implementation would prove problematic, but then major infrastructure changes always are.

How do you think we’ll be travelling long-distance in the future? Will our holidays start at a Hyperloop station? Or is such an idea best left to the realms of science fiction?
What technology is out there to help us reduce CO2 emissions in transport? Let’s discuss it in the comments.