Going Green: The 2050 challenge

Powering aircrafts of the future? It could be Hydrogen, it could be electric or both. Companies on both sides of the Atlantic have set ambitious deadlines to conquer the next frontier in innovation

People are expecting us now by the end of this decade to take out 40 per cent of our carbon emissions... they must be in LaLa land if they're thinking we can do that. It's nice to do but you can over-promise and create aspirations that people are thinking we're going to have electric A380s. Reaching these climate change goals must be a joint effort between the airlines and other partners.

That was the President of Emirates, Sir Tim Clark, sanguine and an absolute realist speaking at the International Air Transport Association Annual General Meeting at Boston soon after the AGM approved a resolution for the global air transport industry to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. This commitment will align with the Paris Agreement goal for global warming not to exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius. KLM Chief Executive Pieter Elbers talking to Reuters said: “There is a change in society going on and airlines are a reflection of their societies. Combining what Messers Clark and Elbers said what we get is: we are under pressure from society, let's get our act together, but let's be realistic!

IATA, however, has chosen to up the ante and go for broke. It's an applause-worthy move and the steep target will mean an acceleration both in production of SAF fuels across the world and the faster evolution of electric. Hydrogen and alternative propulsion technologies.

The world's airlines have taken momentous decision to ensure that flying is sustainable. The post-COVID-19 reconnect will be on a clear path towards netzero. That will ensure the freedom of future generations to sustainably explore, learn, trade, build markets, appreciate cultures, and connect with people the world over. With the collective efforts of the entire value chain and supportive government policies, aviation will achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, said Willie Walsh, IATA's Director General.