The main association of airlines on Tuesday judged the global objective of incorporating 5% of products of non-fossil origin into aviation fuel by 2030 to be “extremely ambitious”, insisting on the other hand on its target of “net zero emissions” in 2050.
States represented at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO, a UN agency) agreed at the end of 2023 on a target of reducing aviation emissions by 5% by 2030 , using sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). The entire sector aims for “net zero” CO emissions2 by mid-century.
Regarding the incorporation of SAF within six years, “we are not going to promise to achieve something that does not seem possible to us,” warned the director general of the International Air Transport Association (Iata) on Tuesday. Willie Walsh.
“I believe that 5% SAF in 2030 is extremely ambitious. I think we will get there and even surpass it in some parts of the world,” added Mr. Walsh during a press conference concluding in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) the annual gathering of his organization, which brings together the vast majority of airlines around the world.
“But when we look at where SAF is currently produced and where investments are taking place, it becomes clear to us that [cet objectif] will not be reached in all places in the world,” he warned, referring in particular to South America where no production projects are underway according to him.
The aviation sector, which currently contributes around 3% of global CO emissions2has committed to no longer contributing to global warming by 2050 and is counting 65% on SAF to achieve its objective, the balance of reductions being obtained by new technologies, including hydrogen aircraft, optimization of ground and air operations, and carbon offsets.
While according to Iata the production of SAF will triple this year compared to 2023, the availability of these fuels “will not increase in a linear way” between now and 2050, warned Mr. Walsh: this will on the other hand “exponential once all these new projects [de production] will have succeeded,” according to him.
“It was not Iata which advocated for the target of 5% in 2030. It was a government target. Obviously, we will do our best to achieve this,” Mr. Walsh nevertheless promised.