By Europes aviation sector on Thursday laid out how it could eliminate its net carbon dioxide emissions by 2050, a commitment it said would depend on policy support to scale up sustainable fuels and breakthrough technologies.
Airlines hit by the coronavirus travel slump are also facing increased scrutiny from policymakers and the public over their environmental impact, as the European Union seeks to cut its economywide net greenhouse gas output to zero by 2050.
A study backed by airlines, airports, plane manufacturers and air navigation providers said the industry can cut its net CO2 emissions to zero by 2050 from flights within and departing from the European Economic Area, Britain and Switzerland.
Whilst we embrace our responsibilities, its clear we cannot do this alone, said Olivier Jankovec, director general at airports organisation ACI Europe, which published the report along with Airlines for Europe, manufacturers grouping ASD, air traffic control body CANSO and regional airline association ERA.
We need the EU to deliver the policy and regulatory framework that will enable us to deliver net zero, Jankovec said.
By 2050, the groups said European aviation could cut 92 of its emissions and offset the remainder using carbon removal technologies. The sector emitted 192 million tonnes of CO2 in 2019.
The majority of cuts would be made through technologies including hydrogen and hybridelectric propulsion, plus sustainable aviation fuels SAF. Carbon pricing policies,…
