IATA Welcomes States’ Progress Towards Aviation Carbon Emission Goals
According to Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, the ICAO High-Level Meeting’s support is a step further, encouraging the commitment of the Member States to reach net-zero aviation carbon emissions before 2050, AtoZSerwisPlus.com reports.
“A formal agreement at the 41st ICAO Assembly would underpin a common approach by states to decarbonise aviation. Knowing that government policies will support the same goal and timeline globally will enable the sector, especially its suppliers, to make the needed investments to decarbonise,” Walsh said, emphasising the importance of governments working together.
Moreover, as IATA pointed out, the path to achieving this goal includes the combination of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), infrastructure and operational efficiencies, new propulsion technology, as well as carbon offsets and captures to fill any caps.
The global transition from aviation to new technologies, fuels, and operations is a must in order for the net-zero by 2050 goal to be achieved. Thus, investments for such a goal have to be reached by establishing a solid policy foundation in line with the global way forward, as Walsh pointed out.
The idea for a carbon-free aviation sector is strongly supported also by the Members of the European Parliament, who earlier this month voted for the negotiation mandate to start regarding the acceleration of the usage of sustainable materials in the industry.
More specifically, 334 votes were pro, 95 against, and 53 abstentions, which makes it possible for the negotiations with the Member States to implement the proposal to start soon.
In detail, MEPs are urging for the used cooking oil, synthetic fuel, and hydrogen to become the go-to aviation fuel by 2050, based on the Fit for 55 campaign, which aims to cut carbon emissions by 55 per cent in the next eight years.
“We showed how to do this [aviation decarbonisation] and sent a strong and ambitious signal to the citizens of Europe. We heard you when you called for climate action, and we are working as much as we can to achieve a truly green Europe,” EP rapporteur Søren Gade pointed out.
For the further promotion of the aviation sector and informing the public about green travelling and greener aviation, MEPs have tasked the Commission to develop an EU labelling system on the environmental performance of aircraft, flights, and operators, intended to be done by 2024.
