The aviation industry committed to reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050. On this journey, IATA works with governments, international organizations such as the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), and other relevant authorities to foster the support needed to tackle one of the industry’s greatest challenges, but also to raise awareness about the strategy, the detailed roadmaps and the need for balanced approaches by policy makers.
Policy position on Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF)
Government policy has an instrumental role to play in the deployment of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF). IATA encourages policies which are harmonized across countries and industries, while being technology and feedstock agnostic. Incentives should be used to accelerate SAF deployment. Given SAF is in the early stages of market development, mandates should only be used if they are part of a broader strategy to increase the production of SAF and complemented with incentive programs that facilitate innovation, scale-up and unit cost reduction.
> SAF policy approach (pdf)
Policy position on Non-CO2 Emissions
In 2021 the aviation industry committed to reaching Net-Zero carbon emissions by 2050. Acknowledging the climate warming effect of non-CO2 emissions from aviation, IATA is actively engaging in initiatives for monitoring and developing strategies to address the climate impacts of these emissions and support effective policy making.
> Non-CO2 Emissions policy approach (pdf)
Briefing paper on Direct Air Capture (DAC) and Storage (DAC+S)
The industry’s net zero by 2050 strategys set out the pathways to decarbonize, highlighting the requirement for a combination of different decarbonization levers to achieve this goal. Primarily, Fly Net Zero is expected to be achieved by operational efficiency improvements, the deployment of radical new aircraft technologies, and the use of SAF as the main solution. Although the 2050 goal is net zero, the sector recognizes that between today and 2050 out-of-sector carbon offsets must be utilized to reach interim targets, and the industry must look at a gradual shift toward permanent removals rather than offsets will be required to counterbalance residual emissions and meet the net zero commitment.
SAF accounting based on robust chain-of-custody approaches
A robust Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) accounting framework, based on trusted chain-of-custody approaches, is necessary to support the global aviation industry’s goal to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. It is needed to ensure a cost-effective and environmentally efficient way to incentivize the scaling-up of all technologies, feedstocks, methods, and approaches required for reducing lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across the SAF supply chain, and for rendering immaterial the physical matching of SAF supply and demand in any specific geographic location.
> SAF Accounting policy paper (pdf)
Joint statement at UNFCCC COP28: Avoiding double-claiming under CORSIA
The International Air Transport Association (IATA), Air Transport Action Group (ATAG), Arab Air Carriers' Organization (AACO), Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA), The Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA for its name in Spanish) and Airlines for Europe (A4E), are jointly calling on the Conference of Parties to UNFCCC COP28:
- To note the offsetting requirements of CORSIA will start from 1 January 2024
- To acknowledge the proper implementation of corresponding adjustments would ensure no double claiming of CORSIA eligible emissions units