(MENAFN) The president of Emirates, one of the largest airlines in the world, has warned that the aviation industry will miss its net-zero target unless it increases research around sustainable practices. In 2021, the International Air Transport Association passed a resolution committing airlines to achieving net-zero carbon emissions from their operations by 2050. However, the head of Emirates believes that the biggest impediment to reducing the industry's environmental impact is the fuel being used.
To address this issue, Emirates has committed USD200 million to fund research and development projects focused on reducing the impact of fossil fuels in the commercial aviation sector. The designated fund will be disbursed over three years, and Emirates will identify partnerships with organizations working on fuel and energy technologies.
Speaking about the initiative, Tim Clarke, president of Emirates, said, "We looked long and hard at the reality we face in commercial aircraft and engine technology, fuel supply chain, and our industry's regulatory and eco-system requirements. It's clear that with the current pathways available to airlines in terms of emissions reduction, our industry won't be able to hit net-zero targets in the prescribed timeline."
According to the International Air Transport Association, the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is estimated to meet just 2 percent of the sector's needs by 2025. SAF is produced in small quantities from feedstocks such as cooking oils and animal waste and costs two to five times more than traditional jet fuels.
The aviation industry has set ambitious targets to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. However, the production of sustainable aviation fuel remains limited, and the cost of these fuels is significantly higher than traditional jet fuels. To address this issue, Emirates has committed USD200 million to fund research and development projects focused on reducing the impact of fossil fuels in the commercial aviation sector. The airline will identify partnerships with organizations working on fuel and energy technologies to achieve its goal of reducing its environmental impact.
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