Airlines looks to halve carbon emissions by 2050
In 2009, aviation industry put in place an ambitious and robust carbon emissions strategy, with targets and a four-pillar action plan
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Despite the unprecedented industry crisis brought by Covid-19, IATA and its members reconfirm their commitment to the environment. Combating climate change remains a top priority. We have committed to cut CO2 emissions in half by 2050 with innovative technologies, sustainable aviation fuel and improved operations and infrastructure.
Reducing climate change is a critical global challenge. Commercial aviation is responsible for about 2-3 per cent of global carbon emissions. In 2009 the industry put in place an ambitious and robust carbon emissions strategy, with targets and a four-pillar action plan.
IATA recognizes the need to address the global challenge of climate change and adopted a set of ambitious targets to mitigate CO2 emissions from air transport: An average improvement in fuel efficiency of 1.5 per cent per year from 2009 to 2020; A cap on net aviation CO2 emissions from 2020 (carbon-neutral growth); and a reduction in net aviation CO2 emissions of 50 per cent by 2050, relative to 2005 levels.
A multi-faceted approach: the four-pillar strategy
IATA is determined to be part of the solution but insists that, in order to achieve these targets, a strong commitment is required from all stakeholders working together through the four pillars of the aviation industry strategy: Improved technology, including the deployment of sustainable aviation fuels; More efficient aircraft operations; Infrastructure improvements, including modernized air traffic management systems and a single global market-based measure, to fill the remaining emissions gap.
Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) have been identified as one of the key elements in helping achieve these goals. Governmental support is essential to using sustainable aviation fuels to achieve the industry's climate goals.
Over 300,000 flights have taken to the skies using SAF since 2016. 100 million litres of SAF will be produced in 2021. SAF can reduce emissions by up to 80 per cent during its full lifecycle. Around 7 billion litres of SAF are in forward purchase agreements and more than 45 airlines now have experience with SAF.
The largest contribution to emissions reduction in aviation comes through aircraft technology and sustainable aviation fuels. Prior to the Covid-19 crisis many aircraft operators were in the process of renewing or expanding their fleets and the pandemic has accelerated the retirement of many older and less efficient aircraft. Between 2014 and 2019, around 1,650 new commercial aircrafts were delivered each year.
Each new generation of aircraft yields a typical 15 per cent fuel efficiency improvement compared to the generation it replaces. This replacement occurs on average every 20 years, although smaller serial improvements and retrofits occur in the intervening period. Around 80 per cent of the fuel savings mentioned in the table above are due to improvements in the aircraft engine. More improvements can be expected from an evolution of current engine technology followed by a revolution of the propulsion systems.
Improvements in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions can also be made through airframe and equipment upgrades. These reductions are referenced to a standard tube-and-wing aircraft without the quoted technology.
