Airline industry to weigh goal of net-zero emissions by 2050

The airline industry’s global trade group will propose eliminating carbon emissions on a net basis by 2050, as pressure builds to improve the climate goals of a segment that’s come under increasing criticism for its use of fossil fuels. The IATA will ask carriers to adopt the target at its annual meeting in Boston in October, Willie Walsh, its director general, said Thursday. While airlines including BA owner IAG, Delta and United have all made net-zero commitments, IATA hasn’t updated its own goal since 2009. At that time, airlines pledged to cut CO2 output 50% by mid-century, compared with 2005 levels. But emissions have surged since then, driven by a boom in air travel cut short only last year by the coronavirus pandemic. “I’m very confident that the industry will align with the changed goals,” Walsh said. “But we do have to go through the formal process.” Aviation has come under a harsher spotlight as automakers and the power industry make strides toward cutting emissions in line with goals set by the Paris Agreement. Before the pandemic, so-called flight-shaming prompted movements to limit air travel and switch to trains, for example.<br/>