Focus Areas

To realise the pathway outlined in the DESTINATION 2050 Roadmap, joint, coordinated and decisive industry and government efforts are required in the aforementioned areas.


A combination of four key measures can help achieve substantial CO2 emissions reductions in line with EU climate goals:

Improvements in aircraft and engine technologies
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By 2050, next generation aircraft and engine technology and subsequent fleet replacement forms the second most important element for achieving net zero CO2.

We believe that together, policymakers and the industry can make net zero CO2 emissions a reality by 2050. In 2030, net CO2 emissions from intra-European flights would be reduced by 62%, compared to 1990 levels through a combination of fleet renewal, SAF, operational measures and EU ETS/CORSIA, well above the 55% reduction EU climate goal for 2030.

To achieve net zero CO2 aviation in Europe by 2050, while maintaining a competitive aviation industry that continues to benefit society – joint, coordinated and decisive industry and government efforts are required. The time to act is now to make European aviation’s climate ambitions a reality.

  • Starting in 2030, a new generation of advanced aircraft is expected to be introduced. It will start with the regional segments (up to 100 passengers) with battery-electric for the smallest modules, hybrid-electric commuters, turboprops, and later with the entrance into service of hydrogen-powered aircraft (55 to 100 passengers, 700 to 1000 km).
  • From 2040, hydrogen propulsion is foreseen to be applied in the single-aisle segment (up to 165 passengers, 2000 km). Alongside these, ultra-efficient liquid-fuelled aircraft targeting fuel burn reductions of 30% compared to recent and imminent types will play a role for short and long-haul travel.
  • By 2050, technology improvements will contribute 27% to decarbonisation. Types introduced from 2030 onwards provide about half of this contribution.
ALTERNATIVE FUELS AND SUSTAINABLE ENERGY
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Scaling up the use of alternative fuels and sustainable energy is the biggest lever to reduce emissions towards realising net zero CO2 emissions by 2050. Achieving this requires the rapid industrial deployment and financing of SAF and synthetic fuel production facilities, along with a drastic increase in low-carbon electricity production.

We believe that together, policymakers and the industry can make net zero CO2 emissions a reality by 2050. In 2030, net CO2 emissions from intra-European flights would be reduced by 62%, compared to 1990 levels through a combination of fleet renewal, SAF, operational measures and EU ETS/CORSIA, well above the 55% reduction EU climate goal for 2030.

To achieve net zero CO2 aviation in Europe by 2050, while maintaining a competitive aviation industry that continues to benefit society – joint, coordinated and decisive industry and government efforts are required. The time to act is now to make European aviation’s climate ambitions a reality.

SAF account for up to 56% of aviation’s pathway to decarbonise by 2050.

Here is how the deployment of SAF can make a difference:

  • Deployment of SAF as drop-in fuel enables direct emissions reductions. Meanwhile, new technology is developing rapid towards potential 100% SAF use.
  • Drop-in fuels can currently be blended with conventional kerosene for up to 50% blend.
  • Europe needs the rapid industrial deployment and financing of SAF and synthetic fuel production facilities and a drastic increase in low carbon electricity production.EU Policy must de-risk investments and boost the production and uptake of SAFs and in particular of e-SAF and include aviation in the Clean Industrial Deal.
economic measures
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Economic measures, like EU ETS and CORSIA, incentivise the aviation sector to reduce emissions by putting a direct cost on CO2. This incentives the development and uptake of alternative fuels and sustainable energy.

We believe that together, policymakers and the industry can make net zero CO2 emissions a reality by 2050. In 2030, net CO2 emissions from intra-European flights would be reduced by 62%, compared to 1990 levels through a combination of fleet renewal, SAF, operational measures and EU ETS/CORSIA, well above the 55% reduction EU climate goal for 2030.

To achieve net zero CO2 aviation in Europe by 2050, while maintaining a competitive aviation industry that continues to benefit society – joint, coordinated and decisive industry and government efforts are required. The time to act is now to make European aviation’s climate ambitions a reality.

Here is how economic measures can make a difference:

  • Through the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), the number of available emissions allowances is capped and reduced each year to ensure that the EU climate targets will be met.
  • Offsetting relies on purchases of carbon credits generated by projects that reduce emissions in other sectors. The ICAO Carbon Reduction and Offsetting Scheme (CORSIA) requires airlines to offset any emissions from international flights between participating States above 85% of the 2019 emissions threshold. This global approach ensures maximum efficiency whilst ensuring that potential market distortion is minimised.
  • International coordination of measures and the earmarking of revenues for decarbonising aviation, maximise the efficiency of these measures.
  • Carbon removal projects (e.g. Carbon Capture & Storage) will in time become economically effective as a way to balance out any remaining emissions.
Improvements in Air Traffic Management and aircraft Operations
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Improvements in air traffic management (ATM) and aircraft operations will make an important contribution to reducing aviation’s CO2 emissions. Over time, the average improvement in fuel burn per flight in 2030 will be 7.8%, 9.5% by 2040, and 11.6% by 2050. The  ATM and aircraft operations pillar will contribute 6% to CO2 emission savings to achieve net zero by 2050.

We believe that together, policymakers and the industry can make net zero CO2 emissions a reality by 2050. In 2030, net CO2 emissions from intra-European flights would be reduced by 62%, compared to 1990 levels through a combination of fleet renewal, SAF, operational measures and EU ETS/CORSIA, well above the 55% reduction EU climate goal for 2030.

To achieve net zero CO2 aviation in Europe by 2050, while maintaining a competitive aviation industry that continues to benefit society – joint, coordinated and decisive industry and government efforts are required. The time to act is now to make European aviation’s climate ambitions a reality.

Here is how improvements in ATM and aircraft operations can make a difference:

  • Improved flight planning, weight reduction and airframe condition and maintenance could reduce fuel burn, aided by reduced economic tankering.
  • Deployment of solutions developed under the Single European Sky ATM Research (SESAR) project can reduce fuel burn, such as Free Route Airspace, Continuous Climb and Descent Operations or Wake Energy Retrieval. 
  • Reduced engine taxi, (electric) operational towing and reduced usage of Auxiliary Power Units (APU) at airports could contribute to more efficient ground operations.
NON-CO2 CLIMATE EFFECTS OF AVIATION

The climate impact of aviation includes non-CO2 impacts such as contrail cirrus and nitrogen oxide emissions, which can contribute significantly to global warming.

The Roadmap therefore also addresses the scientific and technological aspects of non-CO2 effects. While uncertainties remain, there is broad scientific consensus that non-CO2 emissions have a warming effect.

Potential mitigation strategies exist in three areas:

  • Improvements in aircraft and engine technology – new engine types based on alternative propulsion or improved kerosene-powered engines cause lower non-CO2 emissions
  • Improvements in ATM and operations – ATM could potentially guide aircraft around ice supersaturated regions to prevent formation of contrails
  • Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) – SAF has the potential to reduce radiative forcing from contrails