Aviation's Net-Zero Blueprint Beyond the Linear

While Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) tends to dominate headlines, decarbonisation by 2050 is possible only with a broader, multifaceted strategy, instead of any singular path

- VISHAL DUGGAL

The aviation industry today is grappling with the dual challenge of meeting soaring global demand for air travel as well as reducing its carbon footprint, driven by global concerns over climate change. Though presently, aviation accounts for 2.5 per cent of global CO2 emissions, the figure could rise to 25 per cent by 2050, if unchecked. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) estimates that by 2050, around 10 billion passengers will fly annually, up from approximately 4.7 billion passengers in 2025. Pertinently, IATA has called for member airlines to work towards achieving net-zero carbon emissions from their operations by 2050, a target endorsed by IATA and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

All agree emissions need to fall, but they seem to disagree on how to get there. The net-zero target is ambitious but requires a holistic approach. While Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is a cornerstone of this transition, achieving net zero cannot rely on SAF alone. It requires a combination of maximum elimination of emissions at the source, offsetting and carbon capture technologies, integrating renewable energy, efficient ground operations, and modernised airspace to complement SAF adoption.

All industry stakeholders need to work towards exploring multiple solutions, not relying on just one. Following are some of the major strategies that, when combined, can significantly reduce the aviation industry's environmental footprint, beyond the adoption of SAF:

INFRASTRUCTURAL UPGRADES