Europe leads world aviation towards net zero carbon emissions

On 26-Feb-2021 a coalition of European aviation trade associations published ‘Destination 2050’, a plan to achieve net zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050. The target covers all flights within and departing from Europe (specifically the EU, European Free Trade Association and the UK).

It plots a path to reach this target through a combination of new technologies, improved operations, sustainable aviation fuels and economic measures.

The target of net zero emissions by 2050 puts the European aviation industry ahead of the global aviation target to halve carbon emissions (relative to 2005 levels) by 2050.

The next CAPA Live event on 10-Mar-2021 will include discussions with a number of leading industry figures on the theme of ‘Sustainable Aviation: Restoring travel in a responsible way’.

Summary:

• ‘Destination 2050’ brings together European airlines, airports, OEMs and air navigation providers.
• The Paris Agreement did not include aviation, but it led to the target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050, adopted by the UN and others.
• Global aviation’s aim to cut emissions by 50% now looks too modest.
• Destination 2050 is built on four main pillars: aircraft/engine technology, sustainable aviation fuels, ATM/aircraft operations and economic measures.