Climate-Sceptic Policies Threaten Aviation’s 2050 Goal

Climate-sceptic policies pose a significant threat to the aviation industry’s commitment to decarbonise by 2050, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) warned.

Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s Senior Vice President for Sustainability, said the rise of leaders favouring fossil fuels and recent regulatory rollbacks represent a clear setback. “It does imperil success on the 2050 horizon,” she said.

However, Thomsen expressed cautious optimism, adding, “I don’t think it will halt or reverse progress. It will just slow it down.”

The aviation sector, often criticised for its outsized impact on climate change, faces growing pressure to reduce its carbon footprint. Members of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) have set an ambitious target to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Currently, air transport accounts for approximately 2.5 to 3 percent of global CO2 emissions. Transitioning to renewable fuels remains challenging, despite efforts by the aeronautics and energy industries.

To meet the net-zero target, airlines rely heavily on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) — non-fossil fuels from sustainable sources. However, SAF is still three to four times more expensive than petroleum-based jet fuel, posing a major financial hurdle.

IATA members set the 2050 net-zero goal a year ahead of ICAO, recognising the enormous investments required.

The challenge is further complicated by shifting political landscapes. The current US administration has signalled support for fossil fuel development, contrasting with the previous administration’s climate-focused policies.