The European aviation sector achieved a significant milestone this week when five prominent European aviation associations representing Europe’s airlines, airports, civil aeronautics industry, and air navigation service providers, united under the Destination 2050 alliance.
Airlines for Europe (A4E), Airports Council International Europe (ACI EUROPE), AeroSpace and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD), Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation Europe (CANSO Europe), and European Regions Airline Association (ERA) have adopted regulations to set targets for airlines in Europe to increase their use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) and identified the decisive joint actions needed to make this vision a reality, working at national, European and global levels. Their efforts align with ICAO’s Long-Term Aspirational Goal (LTAG) to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by the year 2050.
Airlines for Europe (A4E), Airports Council International Europe (ACI EUROPE), AeroSpace and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD), Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation Europe (CANSO Europe), and European Regions Airline Association (ERA) have adopted regulations to set targets for airlines in Europe to increase their use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) and identified the decisive joint actions needed to make this vision a reality, working at national, European and global levels. Their efforts align with ICAO’s Long-Term Aspirational Goal (LTAG) to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by the year 2050.
The adoption of the ReFuelEU legislation is an important advancement and essential for realising the ambitious decarbonisation targets envisaged in the Destination 2050 roadmap. With this comprehensive strategy, there is groundwork for incorporating SAFs in aviation fuel.
These developments are coming at an important time. Ensuring the widespread adoption of SAFs is paramount, and this commitment extends to encouraging further growth in the European SAF sector. Expansion can be integrated into the EU Net Zero Industry Act (NZIA), through an approach similar to the United States’ Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
The ERA acknowledged the global nature of aviation, where there must be global decarbonisation efforts. The European air transport sector vigorously advocates for the broader promotion and adoption of SAFs worldwide and has called on nations and the broader aviation industry in all areas of the globe to unite in pursuit of ambitious and credible SAF objectives. The collective aim is to ensure that aviation worldwide remains firmly on course to attain ICAO’s LTAG commitment.
To achieve this, robust political support for the future of net-zero aviation is paramount. It necessitates the implementation of policies and incentives designed to facilitate the global development and production of SAFs.
As the world prepares to address the pressing challenges of climate change, the ICAO Conference on Aviation Alternative Fuels (CAAF/3), which will take place in Dubai in November, presents a unique and pivotal opportunity. The event provides a platform for setting targets for SAF deployment on a global scale and advancing the collective effort towards sustainable aviation and the ultimate goal of a net-zero carbon emissions future.
CAAF/3 will bring together high-level officials from States who have the authority to make policy-related decisions. International organizations directly involved in aviation clean energy are invited to participate as observers. The agenda for CAAF/3 includes:
- The latest developments in cleaner energy technology for international aviation and its contribution to the Long-Term Global Aspirational Goal
- Supporting policies to promote the development and deployment of cleaner energy for aviation
- Assistance and capacity building for cleaner energy
- Financing cleaner energy
- Reviewing the 2050 ICAO Vision for SAF, including LCAF and other cleaner energy for aviation, in order to define a global framework
For more information on the CAAF event that will be held in November, click here. To learn more about ICAO’s commitment to meeting the 2050 Long-Term Aspirational Goal, click here.
