Net Zero Emissions by 2050 says US Aerospace Firms

According to industry sources and a document seen by Reuters, US Aerospace makers are prepared to enhance a climate aim by vowing to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, repeating a commitment to be debated by global airlines on Monday. According to the sources, the US Aerospace Industries Association will pledge on Monday to work with airlines and governments to meet the goal, joining a growing aviation industry consensus that includes airports. AIA did not respond to a request for comment right away.

At the International Air Transport Association’s annual convention in Boston on Monday, global airlines are anticipated to vote on a similar plan. The Air Transport Action Group, a bigger aviation industry organisation, is scheduled to join later this week. The objective replaces a prior goal of halving net emissions by 2050 from 2005 levels, which was meant to reflect the Paris climate agreement’s goal of keeping global temperature rises to 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels this century.

According to a United Nations research released this year, there is now a 40% probability that global temperatures will rise by 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels in the next five years. Environmentalists argue that the proposed net-zero objective for 2050 is insufficient and needs to be enforced by the government. Aviation is responsible for about 3% of world emissions. “Aviation will not achieve net zero emissions by 2050 unless it embraces binding climate rules at the national level,” said Andrew Murphy, aviation director at Transport & Environment in Brussels.

Commercial aircraft firms such as Boeing Co. and suppliers Honeywell International and Spirit AeroSystems have all pledged their support. Airbus, a European planemaker, has already stated its support for the 2050 goal. AIA and ATAG were referred questions about the target by Boeing. Manufacturers have vowed to increase their investments in a new generation of technologies for more efficient planes.