Opinion N°20: Decarbonising air transport

Air transport is global: it has enabled an incredible expansion in relations between peoples. It intends to be sustainable in the face of the climate challenge and is aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050.

In addition to the technological levers outlined in this opinion, the decarbonization of air transport, like that of all economic activities, will require considerable resources in decarbonized electricity, sufficient CO2 capture and sequestration capacities, and an air transport policy that encourages sobriety, accepted at both individual, collective and international levels.

The result of two years’ work by the Energy and Environment Commission (C2E), comprising more than 60 members from eight European countries with collective expertise in the fields of climate, energy and aeronautics, Opinion No. 20 turns the spotlight on the ways and means of decarbonising air transport, in particular on reducing consumption but also on the considerable energy requirements.

Dossier 55, which is more extensive, will detail the reflections that led to this Opinion.