• Destination 2050 partners voice full support for the ICAO Assembly’s agreement on the net-zero goal, aligning the sector’s objective with the Paris Agreement
• Industry reiterates its call for policies that support the sector’s transition

Brussels, 07 October 2022 – Today, the five leading European aviation associations AeroSpace and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD Europe), Airports Council International Europe (ACI EUROPE), Airlines for Europe (A4E), Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO), European Regions Airline Association (ERA) which are close partners through the Destination 2050 decarbonisation roadmap, came out in strong support of the outcome of the 41st Triennial International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Assembly.

The UN body overseeing the global civil air transport sector succeeded in setting net zero CO2 emissions by 2050 as the worldwide climate goal for aviation, de facto aligning its climate ambition with the Paris Agreement as well as the global aviation industry’s own target and commitment. The Destination 2050 partners stressed the importance of global political support for a net-zero future for aviation and called on ICAO and its Member States to work on emissions reduction objectives through a global approach with coordinated policies for the entire sector.

Through Destination 2050, the European aviation industry was the first in the world to commit to the realisation of a net-zero goal for all departing flights. Announced in early 2021, the Destination 2050 alliance and commitment included a comprehensive roadmap based on a clear set of measures to reach that goal. The Destination 2050 partners remain fully committed to this roadmap and call for political support for its four pillars including aircraft and engine technologies, air traffic management and aircraft operations, Sustainable Aviation Fuels and smart economic measures.

Aviation, as a global enterprise, needs climate policies that ensure harmonised approaches for all stakeholders, and be met by commensurate actions across all regions. In this respect, the Destination 2050 partners praised the long-awaited global agreement at ICAO. They recognised its key role in providing consistency among policies, creating a level playing field, and setting the ground for the necessary regulatory certainty for investment and finance to secure a sustainable future for the air transport sector globally.

ENDS

Media Contact

A4E
Kevin Hiney
Communications Director

Email: kevin.hiney@a4e.eu
Phone: +32 499 82 82 94

About Destination 2050

Europe’s aviation sector is collectively on board to lead the way in reducing aviation CO2 emissions by 2030 and 2050 – making flying more sustainable for the long term. In February 2021, Europe’s airlines, airports, civil aeronautics industry and air navigation service providers laid out a joint long-term vision along with concrete solutions to the complex challenge of reaching net zero CO2 emissions from all flights departing the EU, UK and EFTA by 2050. The independent report by the Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR) and SEO Amsterdam Economics shows how a combination of actions from all stakeholders – including the EU and national governments – in four key areas could achieve substantial CO2 emissions reductions in line with EU climate goals. These include improvements in aircraft and engine technologies (including hybrid, electric and hydrogen propulsion), using sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) both for fixed- and rotary-wing platforms, and implementing economic measures and improvements in air traffic management (ATM) and aircraft operations. For more information, visit www.destination2050.eu