News
The International Air Transport Association (IATA)'s 77th Annual General Meeting has approved a resolution for the global air transport industry to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. This commitment will align with the Paris Agreement goal for global warming not to exceed 1.5°C.
The resolution demands that all industry stakeholders commit to addressing the environmental impact of their policies, products, and activities with concrete actions and clear timelines, including:
* Fuel-producing companies bringing large scale, cost-competitive sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) to the market.
* Governments and air navigation service providers (ANSPs) eliminating inefficiencies in air traffic management and airspace infrastructure.
* Aircraft and engine manufacturers producing radically more efficient airframe and propulsion technologies; and
* Airport operators providing the needed infrastructure to supply SAF, at cost, and in a cost-effective manner.
IATA said that the combination of measures needed to achieve net zero emissions for aviation by 2050 will evolve over the course of the commitment based on the most cost-efficient technology available at any particular point in time. A base case scenario as follows is the current focus:
* 2025: With appropriate government policy support, SAF production is expected to reach 7.9 billion liters (2% of total fuel requirement)
* 2030: SAF production is 23 billion liters (5.2% of total fuel requirement). ANSPs have fully implemented the ICAO Aviation System Block Upgrades and regional programs such as the Single European Sky
* 2035: SAF production is 91 billion liters (17% of total fuel requirement). Electric and/or hydrogen aircraft for the regional market (50-100 seats, 30-90 min flights) become available
* 2040: SAF production is 229 billion liters (39% of total fuel requirement). Hydrogen aircraft for the short-haul market (100-150 seats, 45-120 min flights) become available.
* 2045: SAF production is 346 billion liters (54% of total fuel requirement).
* 2050: SAF production hits 449 billion liters (65% of total fuel requirement).
