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Cancun – The International Air Transport Association (Iata) approved a resolution at its 73rd annual AGM which calls on governments to implement policies to accelerate the deployment of sustainable aviation fuels.
The resolution calls upon governments to implement policies to accelerate the deployment of sustainable aviation fuels. This will include the creation of an appropriate regulation framework.
Such alternative “drop-in” fuels are technically ready and can deliver up to an 80% reduction in carbon emissions.
According to Iata the resolution reaffirms the aviation industry’s commitment to work with governments to implement the Carbon Offset and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (Corsia) global carbon emissions agreement.
Iata CEO Alexandre de Juniac explained that the Corsia agreement is a vital part of Iata’s strategy for combatting aviation emissions. The resolution makes it clear that such sustainable aviation fuels must conform to “robust sustainability standards”.
“We are committed to carbon neutral growth from 2020 and to cutting net aviation emissions to half 2005 levels by 2050,” said De Juniac.
“While carbon offsetting is critical to managing emissions in the short-term, in the long-term we rely on clean technology improvements to achieve our goals.”
He added that sustainable aviation fuels are an integral part of Iata’s comprehensive strategy, but at the moment they are not being produced in enough quantity at a competitive cost.
Iata calls for a policy framework regarding sustainable aviation fuel to include easier access to finance such as loan guarantees and capital grants; support for demonstration plants and supply chain research and development; putting sustainable aviation fuel on an equal footing with automotive biofuels through equivalent public incentives; and providing legislative certainty over an extended period of time in order to create investor confidence.
According to De Juniac, governments should provide incentives to make sustainable aviation fuel commercially viable – in the same way as they support solar and other renewable technology.
*Fin24 is a guest of Iata at its AGM
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