The European aviation sector has set an ambitious goal to achieve net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050. This commitment is in line with the EU Green Deal and the Paris Agreement. The industry recognizes that aviation is an integral part of the European way of life, connecting people and driving economic growth. A collaborative approach is necessary for the transition to net-zero, including airlines, airports, air navigation service providers, and the civil aeronautics industry. The Destination 2050 alliance (Europe’s airlines, airports, aerospace manufacturers and air navigation service providers) has published an updated roadmap that outlines a path to reach this goal, building upon previous research.
The updated Destination 2050 roadmap emphasizes four pillars to achieve net-zero emissions: aircraft and engine technology; renewable energy including sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and hydrogen; optimized air traffic management; and out-of-sector measures such as carbon removals. The report highlights the importance of scaling up the availability and uptake of affordable SAFs. It calls for a dedicated aviation industrial strategy, the inclusion of aviation in the Clean Industrial Deal, and increased public funding for research and development. The industry stresses the need for effective policies at both EU and national levels to support this transition. Additionally, there is a call to simplify and reduce regulatory burdens to ensure a level playing field in the sector. The industry also urges investment in energy efficiency and technology, focusing on areas such as advanced aircraft design and alternative fuels.
However, the transition to net-zero aviation poses financial challenges and research suggests that it is unlikely that the sector can finance the transition cost given the sector’s low profitability. Aviation has generated marginal profits over the past decades. It is estimated the cost of net zero aviation by 2050 is €2.4 trillion, and that is for European aviation alone. Some argue that because demand would fall if the costs were passed onto passengers, the transition would likely need to be covered by public subsidies. There are also debates about the definition of ‘net-zero’ and whether it should include all of aviation’s climate impacts, not just CO2 from fuel combustion. It is important to consider other greenhouse gases at flight altitude and the role of carbon removal and offsetting. The debate on who will pay for this transition is ongoing, including whether accountability lies with airlines, manufacturers, fuel providers, consumers, or governments. Prof. Gössling indicates: “We have no idea how to pay the cost of the net-zero transition, but since it’s public money, growing the expected subsidy is not an issue?”. On a recent research Gössling & Humpe (2023) also concluded that ”it will be meaningful for aviation representatives and policy makers to discuss alternatives to volume growth business models”.
Sources:
Destination 2050 (2050). The Destination 2050 initiative and roadmap developed by NLR and SEO at the request of A4E, ACI EUROPE, ASD, CANSO and ERA show an ambitious decarbonisation pathway for European aviation. https://www.destination2050.eu/roadmap/
Gössling, S., & Humpe, A. (2023). Net-zero aviation: Transition barriers and radical climate policy design implications. Science of The Total Environment, 169107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169107
Gössling, S. (2025). Who will pay for the European Aviation Zero Emissions Transition 2050. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/stefan-g%C3%B6ssling-3577a8264_net-zero-aviation-transition-barriers-and-activity-7293743213842968576-VqeC?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAACn-NUB7NvdifyrgG2oqYD06b3n51eOzmE