{"id":1785,"date":"2021-10-05T13:15:06","date_gmt":"2021-10-05T12:15:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greenairnews.com\/?p=1785"},"modified":"2022-01-07T18:02:44","modified_gmt":"2022-01-07T18:02:44","slug":"iata-agm-passes-resolution-committing-global-airline-industry-to-net-zero-emissions-by-2050-despite-chinese-opposition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenairnews.com\/?p=1785","title":{"rendered":"IATA AGM passes resolution committing global airline industry to net zero emissions by 2050 despite Chinese opposition"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

At its 77th Annual General Meeting<\/a> in Boston, IATA approved a resolution<\/a> committing the global airline industry to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050, which it says will align with the Paris 1.5C climate goal. The industry is projecting 10 billion people will be flying in 2050, requiring the abatement of at least 1.8 gigatons of CO2 in that year, about twice the amount emitted by the sector in pre-pandemic 2019. The net zero commitment implies a cumulative total of 21.2 gigatons of carbon will be abated between now and 2050, said IATA. Director General Willie Walsh said \u201ca very significant\u201d $2 trillion investment by the industry will be required out to 2050, needing an aviation-wide collective effort backed by supportive government policy. All industry stakeholders, including governments, must each individually take responsibility to address the environmental impact of their policies, products and activities, demanded IATA. However, the resolution was not supported by the Chinese airline members of IATA, which said their government had a different national target and an attempt to insert a reference in the resolution to UN climate principles was rejected. Walsh told a press conference afterwards that the resolution was binding on all members.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cThe world\u2019s airlines have taken a momentous decision to ensure that flying is sustainable,\u201d said Walsh after the resolution was passed. \u201cThe post-Covid-19 re-connect will be on a clear path towards net zero. That will ensure the freedom of future generations to sustainably explore, learn, trade, build markets, appreciate cultures and connect with people the world over. With the collective efforts of the entire value chain and supportive government policies, aviation will achieve net zero emissions by 2050.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The path to the net zero by 2050 goal \u2013 which replaces the 2009 industry target of halving global net emissions by 2050 compared to 2005 \u2013 relies heavily on the use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). IATA\u2019s base scenario envisages 65% of the forecasted business-as-usual 1.8 gigatons of carbon will be abated through SAF. IATA expects the current annual use of around 100 million litres of SAF to increase to 449 billion litres in 2050.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe would expect new propulsion technology, such as hydrogen, to take care of another 13% and efficiency improvements will account for a further 3%. The remainder could be dealt with through carbon capture and storage (11%) and offsets (8%),\u201d said Walsh. \u201cThe actual split, and the trajectory to get there, will depend on what solutions are the most cost-effective at any particular time. Whatever the ultimate path to net zero will be, it is absolutely true that the only way to get there will be with the value chain and governments playing their role.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The IATA resolution demands all industry stakeholders commit to addressing their environmental impact and policies \u201cwith concrete actions and clear timelines\u201d, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n