Members of the UK Sustainable Aviation coalition have committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
The newly announced commitment is based on a review of the opportunities to cut aviation emissions and forms a central pillar of a new ‘Decarbonisation Road-Map: A Path to Net Zero’ published by Sustainable Aviation. This sets out exactly where reductions can come from, including through smarter flight operations, new aircraft and engine technology, modernizing UK airspace, the use of sustainable aviation fuels, and high-quality market-based policy measures.
With these actions, the UK will be able to grow passenger numbers by 70% – in line with current projections – while reducing net emissions from 30 million tons of CO2 per year today down to zero.
A ‘Sustainable Aviation Fuels Road-Map’ was also released alongside the Decarbonisation Road Map, identifying the role that sustainable aviation fuels could play in meeting this commitment.
Neil Robinson, chair of Sustainable Aviation, said, “Climate change is a clear and pressing issue for people, businesses and governments across the world. We know aviation emissions will increase if decisive action is not taken, and that’s why UK aviation has committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050, through an international approach, working with governments around the world and through the UN.”