Sustainability and Environment
IATA Ups Environmental Target to Net-zero Emissions by 2050
The airline trade body admits that the new target will be a ‘huge challenge’ and will need the support of all stakeholders, including governments.
IATA's annual general meeting voted to step up plans to eliminate carbon dioxide emissions from the airline industry. (Photo: IATA)
IATA's annual general meeting voted to step up plans to eliminate carbon dioxide emissions from the airline industry. (Photo: IATA)

International Air Transport Association (IATA) members on Monday voted to strengthen the airline industry’s environmental ambition and set a target to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, up from a previous target to half CO2 emissions on 2005 levels by 2050. The new target was expected and approved at the IATA annual general meeting in Boston in spite of requests by Chinese airlines to delay the timeframe to 2060, in line with China’s carbon neutrality pledge.