(SDG TALKING) - Bunyamin Surmeli - New research has found that the growth of the aviation sector is at odds with climate goals, calling for urgent action to curb emissions in the sector. The report, published by Brussels-based climate advocacy group Transport & Environment, says that rapid growth in passenger numbers and rising fuel demand will jeopardize the sector's ability to meet its net-zero emissions target by 2050.
Rapid growth in ridership and emissions
According to the study, the number of air passengers is expected to more than double by 2050. This could increase aviation fuel consumption by 59% compared to 2019 levels. This will make it more difficult to meet emissions reduction targets.
The report notes that despite the industry's commitment to use Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), it is currently underutilized due to limited supply and high cost. SAF prices are five times higher than conventional jet fuel. It is also estimated that emissions will continue to rise in the coming years despite more efficient jet aircraft and the use of SAF.
Jo Dardenne, Director of Aviation for the Department of Transportation and Environment, said: "It's time to stop this addiction to growth. At the current rate, the aviation sector will still be burning two billion barrels of oil a year in 2050.
Call to the European Union: Sector must be reined in
The report recommends measures to curb the growth of the aviation sector, such as increasing taxes, limiting the expansion of airport infrastructure and reducing business travel. Dardenne called on the European Union to play a more active role in this regard.
Other recommendations include stricter regulations on carbon emissions and a review of financial incentives for the aviation sector. The report emphasizes that it is crucial for governments and regulators to take such steps to limit growth in order to achieve climate goals.
Sector Response: Emphasis on economic development and global connectivity
The aviation industry has rejected calls to limit growth. Aviation is essential to economic development and global connectivity, the industry argues. "Instead of speculative and selective projections decades into the future, we should focus on concrete solutions today," said a spokesperson for the European Airlines Trade Organization.
Existing solutions, such as increasing SAF production and developing more efficient jet engines, could reduce the sector's environmental impact, he said. However, environmental groups argue that these measures will not be enough to stabilize the current growth rate.
Upcoming financial conference and targets
Industry leaders will meet at the annual financial conference in Dublin this week to discuss new aircraft sales and investment. But the meeting is expected to be overshadowed by calls from environmental groups and criticism from the industry.
The bottom line: More sustainability or more growth?
The aviation industry's growth trend threatens efforts to reduce global carbon emissions. More aircraft, more passengers and increased fuel demand make it harder for the sector to meet its climate goals. Sustainable fuels and technological innovation, while essential to reducing emissions, are lagging behind the current growth rate.
Whether the European Union and other international regulators take decisive action to curb the sector's growth will be critical to the success of global climate goals in the coming years. But how these decisions will be reconciled with the demands of economic development and global connectivity remains a big question mark.
