As travel picks up in the wake of the pandemic, aviation could return to producing about 2-3% of total global GHG emissions if we take no action – with overall impacts on climate change at even higher percentages as a result of climatic-forcing mechanisms. Additionally, as other sectors accelerate towards net-zero emissions, the aviation sector’s share may increase even further, and the industry, known for leading in innovation and its early climate commitments, may lag and face heavier scrutiny from society.

Members of the coalition agree that achieving net-zero in the sector will require reduction, as far as possible, of the emissions caused by the aviation sector through efforts including the optimization of routes and increased energy efficiency through the use of new aircraft and improved ground operations. Any remaining emissions must be balanced by appropriate carbon removal, so as to arrive at net-zero emissions in the sector.

Synthesized from sustainable, renewable feedstocks, such as municipal waste, agricultural residues and waste lipids, or developed through a power-to-liquid route, SAF has already fuelled hundreds of thousands commercial flights. It is fully compatible with existing aircraft and fuelling infrastructure, therefore reducing the amount of investment required to underpin the transition.