Twenty airline members of the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Target True Zero initiative have committed to utilizing new propulsion technologies, such as electric, hydrogen, and hybrid aircraft, to address the challenge of climate change. The development and delivery of novel propulsion technologies – powered by sustainable energy sources – were highlighted as the key towards helping the aviation industry minimize its environmental impact.
The World Economic Forum (WEF) together with knowledge partners McKinsey & Co, the Aviation Impact Accelerator at the University of Cambridge, and the Aviation Environment Federation launched the Target True Zero Initiative in July 2021.
With support from the Quadrature Climate Foundation and Breakthrough Energy, the Initiative aims to develop an understanding of how novel propulsion technology can help address aviation’s climate impacts and how the deployment and scaling of these technologies can be accelerated.
The Target True Zero initiative will address the role novel propulsion technologies like electric and hydrogen aviation can play in the transition to an aviation system with true zero climate impacts. It will address issues in the areas of technology, industry dynamics, infrastructure and supply chain, regulation, and public acceptance. By accelerating the adoption of solutions with fewer climate impacts, we can ensure equitable growth around the globe while ensuring a healthy planet for future generations, said Timothy Reuter, Head of Aerospace and Drones, of the World Economic Forum.
Twenty member airlines from across the aviation sector joined the November 10, 2021 statement.
“The adoption of these technologies into the global fleet – through either new aircraft design or the retrofitting of conventional aircraft – can help reduce the climate impact of our operations while preserving the immense economic and social benefits that aviation brings to the world”, the statement said.
The signatory airlines – Aero, Air New Zealand, Air Nostrum, Alaska Airlines, Amelia, ASL Aviation Holdings, Braathens Regional Airlines, easyJet, Finistair, Icelandair, Iskwew Air, Loganair, Mokulele, Ravn Alaska, SoundsAir, Southern Airways Express, Surf Air Mobility, Viva Aerobus, Waltzing Matilda Aviation, Xwing – operate over 800 aircraft and carry over 177 million passengers on 1.8 million flights a year and hope to use this influence to create market demand for new types of aircraft.
As the largest intra-state carrier in America’s “greenest” state, Mokulele Airlines has been working for many years as a pioneer in bringing electrification to Hawaii’s air transportation system. We’re proud to join the World Economic Forum in seeking a global public commitment to promoting sustainable air travel, said Stan Little, Chairman & CEO, Mokulele Airlines and Southern Airways.
Signatory airlines call for governments to support electric and hydrogen aircraft, that can eliminate in-flight carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and reduce the industry’s climate impacts.
Progressing the development towards zero-carbon aviation is crucial to reaching the Paris Agreement. (…) Our ambition is to fly all our flights fossil-free in 2030, with SAF in our propeller planes in addition to our electric airplanes. This partnership with True Zero Aviation is a stepping-stone to accelerate towards true zero emissions, said Maria Fiskerud, Chief Sustainability Officer, Braathens Regional Airlines (BRA).
The key commitments undertaken by the signatory airlines include:
- Short-haul flights first – Shorter range flights were recognized as most likely to employ novel propulsion first. The signatories committed to working towards 30 percent of aircraft, that serve routes of 750 km or less, that are added to their fleets from 2030 onwards employ novel propulsion technologies.
- Scaling the technology in the future – The airlines also committed to decarbonizing longer-range aircraft, once this becomes technologically and economically viable.
- Partnership – The signatories called on aerospace manufactures to prioritize innovation that will allow them to meet these goals.
- Public-private cooperation – Target True-Zero airlines also urged governments to do their part in supporting the transition to cleaner aviation. Key calls included establishing policies to provide incentives for operators to adopt these technologies and addressing the infrastructure issues needed to support their use in airports across the world.
