--- title: "Building a sustainable future for aviation: Path to Net Zero 2050| OpenAirlines" description: Discover how the aviation industry is navigating environmental regulations and embracing sustainable practices to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. image: https://blog.openairlines.com/hubfs/Blog-illustration/Path%20to%20net%20zero%20regulations.jpg --- [![](https://blog.openairlines.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logo-OpenAirlines-blue.png?width=990&height=193&name=Logo-OpenAirlines-blue.png)](https://www.openairlines.com/) - [Home](https://www.openairlines.com/) - 360° eco-flying platform - [SkyBreathe® Analytics – Fuel management software](https://www.openairlines.com/fuel-management-software/) - [+ Emissions Report module](https://www.openairlines.com/fuel-management-software/report-co2-emissions/) - [+ Advanced Trajectory module](https://www.openairlines.com/fuel-management-software/advanced-trajectory-module/) - [SkyBreathe® MyFuelCoach – Pilot engagement app](https://www.openairlines.com/pilot-engagement-app/) - [SkyBreathe® OnBoard – Real-time eco-flying app](https://www.openairlines.com/real-time-eco-flying-app/) - [SkyBreathe® APM – Aircraft Performance Monitoring](https://www.openairlines.com/aircraft-performance-monitoring/) - [SkyBreathe® OTP – On-time performance analysis](https://www.openairlines.com/on-time-performance-analysis/) - Use Cases - [SkyBreathe For CEO/CFO](https://www.openairlines.com/for-ceo-cfo/) - [SkyBreathe For Head of Flights Ops & Chief Pilot](https://www.openairlines.com/for-head-of-flights-ops-chief-pilot/) - [SkyBreathe For Pilots](https://www.openairlines.com/for-pilots/) - [SkyBreathe For Fuel Managers & Ops Engineers](https://www.openairlines.com/for-fuel-managers-ops-engineers/) - [Customers Stories](https://www.openairlines.com/customers/) - Resources - [Blog](https://blog.openairlines.com/) - [White Papers](https://blog.openairlines.com/tag/white-paper) - [Case Studies](https://blog.openairlines.com/tag/case-studies) - [Webinars on fuel efficiency](https://blog.openairlines.com/tag/upcoming-webinars) - [Upcoming Tradeshows](https://blog.openairlines.com/tag/tradeshow) - [OpenAirlines Academy](https://academy.openairlines.com/?utm_campaign=23545222-Academy&utm_source=FuelEfficiencyBlog) - Company - [OpenAirlines Mission](https://www.openairlines.com/our-company/) - [News](https://blog.openairlines.com/news) - [Career - We are Hiring!](https://www.welcometothejungle.com/fr/companies/openairlines) - [Sustainability Report](https://www.openairlines.com/sustainability-report/) - [OpenDay](https://info.openairlines.com/openday2026) - [Contact](https://www.openairlines.com/contact/) [![Get a demo](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4233951/5390e83d-eea4-4183-83a3-0f26b0324d37.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4233951/5390e83d-eea4-4183-83a3-0f26b0324d37) ##### Blog - [Latest articles](https://blog.openairlines.com) - [Fuel Efficiency](https://blog.openairlines.com/tag/fuel-efficiency) - [Airline Experience](https://blog.openairlines.com/tag/airline-experience) - [Sustainability](https://blog.openairlines.com/tag/environment) - [Technology](https://blog.openairlines.com/tag/technology) - [News](https://blog.openairlines.com/news) ![](https://blog.openairlines.com/hubfs/Blog-illustration/Path%20to%20net%20zero%20regulations.jpg) [Back to Blog](https://blog.openairlines.com) # Building a sustainable future for aviation: Path to Net Zero 2050 Published by [Elise](https://blog.openairlines.com/author/elise) on Dec 27, 2024, 10:13:35 AM > *“In the same way, the aeroplane, the tool of the airlines, involves man in all the old problems” > \- Antoine de Saint Exupery Terre des Hommes, 1938* Various regulatory bodies worldwide have taken steps to address the aviation sector's environmental impact. In recent years, we have seen a rise in policies and regulations aimed at mitigating these effects, with a focus on reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable practices.  The European Union (EU) has played a significant role in this context, implementing a range of policies to ensure member states work collectively toward environmental goals. Since the adoption of the **Fit for 55** package in 2019, following the Paris Agreement, the EU has introduced Regulations and Directives designed to harmonize efforts across all member states, aiming to achieve ambitious climate targets. Today, in the post-COVID-19 era, a rebound in airline activity has naturally led to an increase in greenhouse gas emissions. However, this has also reinforced the urgency of addressing resource sustainability. Indeed, the old problem of resources on the planet is now more than ever a priority for airlines, industry, and companies in the aviation sector. | Summary  This is the first article of a two-part series aimed at helping airlines understand the environmental policies and regulations they must navigate and comply with.  - Part one: Building a sustainable future for aviation: Path to Net Zero 2050 - Part two: [Cleared for compliance: Key environmental regulations for airlines](https://blog.openairlines.com/cleared-for-compliance-key-environmental-regulations-for-airlines) | | --- | ## A new mindset for the aviation industry As the European Commission states,*“ A person flying from Lisbon to New York and back generates roughly the same level of emissions as an average EU citizen does by heating their home for a whole year.”* The aviation industry has been challenged to quickly improve its environmental impact through innovation & new perspectives for the future of flying. If we take a look back we can see how a more sustainable industry has been imagined since the late 20’s: - **New****, more efficient aircraft and engines have been released.** For example, theA321 Neo or the A350 certified by ICAO on noise requirements.  ![Rendering A350-900 and A320neo IGO IndiGo \_A350-900\_RR\_IGO\_V06](https://blog.openairlines.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog-illustration/Rendering%20A350-900%20and%20A320neo%20IGO%20IndiGo%20_A350-900_RR_IGO_V06%20.png?width=310&name=Rendering%20A350-900%20and%20A320neo%20IGO%20IndiGo%20_A350-900_RR_IGO_V06%20.png) “*The A350 offers unrivaled operational flexibility and efficiency for all market segments and delivers the lowest noise footprint in its category, reducing the impact on communities." [Source: Airbus](https://aircraft.airbus.com/en/aircraft/a350-clean-sheet-clean-start/a350-less-weight-less-fuel-more-sustainable)* - New cockpit features are being developed to support pilots **in their daily operations.** For instance, the [Continuous Descent Approach](https://blog.openairlines.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-continuous-descent-approach) illustrates the desire to change perspective from the historical approach in the landing phase. - Airlines have a new way **of addressing sustainability.** They can start from technical aspects, such as using Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) or fuel-efficiency techniques, to a more implicit aspect linked to the **airline's governance, highlighting their commitment to reducing CO2 emissions in their Sustainability** reports or global communications.   ### And what about the industry institutions? Achieving sustainability in aviation also relies on political decision-making. However, international governance can present significant challenges, due to cultural differences, divergent legal systems, and conflicting political priorities. Therefore, to respond to such a need for consistency and uniformity, the [International Civil Aviation Organization](https://www.icao.int/Pages/default.aspx)[**(ICAO)**](https://www.icao.int/Pages/default.aspx) is becoming one of the major actors committed to the fight against Climate Change. Standing on ICAO’s side, the European Union (EU) is also pushing the industry toward the [Net Zero path](https://blog.openairlines.com/fly-net-zero-2050-how-airlines-use-data-to-improve-fuel-efficiency) in 2050. Environmental regulation is based on international treaties, such as the well-known Paris Deal—2021, which stated the aim of 0% CO2 in 2050. Today, transport's emissions are targeted in environmental regulations, such as the ReFuel EU Maritime and Aviation. Thus, *“the old problems”* of Saint Exupery are now more than ever a priority for each component of the aviation regulations on the environment. ## Why are environmental policies and regulations important for airlines? 1\. Legal compliance Aviation actors at every level are facing an increasing number of regulations regarding the fight against climate change. Most of those regulations are still based on voluntary participation; nevertheless, there are main regulations that airlines and the industry have to follow.  However, uncertainty about the economic viability of biofuels presents a major challenge for airlines to comply with certain goals. To address this, international bodies like ICAO and the EU set emissions standards based on projected traffic growth, beginning **the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU-ETS).** 💡 Launched in 2005, the EU-ETS system is composed of different phases. As of today, we are in the phase 2021-2030. EU-ETS is a legal framework stated in the ”ETS Directive” reviewed to align with the EU Climate objectives. **As a result, European Airlines have to comply with this EU-ETS system to comply with the European Climate Law that mandates** European Countries to be climate neutral in 2050. Compliance is crucial for airlines because it ensures they meet legal and regulatory requirements, avoid penalties, and maintain their ability to operate in international markets.  | 🔎 EU-ETS in a nutshell The EU ETS is a legally binding cap and trade system setting a limit on the total GHG emissions so as to reduce them, whereas the GMBM is a carbon offsetting scheme, which allows emissions from the aviation sector to continue increasing above the CNG 2020 threshold provided they are compensated for with international emission reduction credits. | | --- | **2. Environmental commitment**   The aviation sector is challenged by several constraints, such as increasing fuel costs and growing **environmental concerns** in our society. For instance, la Fondation Jean Jaurès shared a case study on the topic, saying that 27% of 18- 24-year-old French people don’t want to travel by plane for environmental reasons. This shift in attitudes toward air travel is now more than ever linked to the visible consequences of climate change on the planet. That’s why it is in airlines' interest to become active contributors to the industry’s decarbonization, not only to address regulatory and market pressures but also to strengthen their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) engagement, meet societal expectations, and secure long-term viability.  Airlines should be aware that navigating environmental challenges can become complex when it comes to communication strategies and the growing trend of Climate Judiciary Actions. There has been a significant rise in ["greenwashing" environmental claims brought before national courts](https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_24_2322), often supported by the European Commission. This underscores the need for airlines to ensure compliance, transparency, and robust ESG strategies to mitigate legal and reputational risks. > *"If we want responsible consumers, we need to provide them with accurate information. More and more travelers  care about their environmental footprint and choose products and services with better environmental performance. They deserve accurate and scientific answers, not vague or falseclaims. The Commission is fully committed to empowering consumers in the green transition and fighting greenwashing. We expect airlines, as well as any other industry operator, to make a responsible use of environmental claims."*  > > Věra Jourová, European Commission Vice-President for Values and Transparency | **💡 Airline tip:** Sharing real achievements, such as the fuel saved through eco-flying practices and improved fuel efficiency, demonstrates transparency and credibility, aligning with consumer demand for accurate environmental information. By showcasing verifiable results, airlines can build trust with environmentally conscious travelers. This proactive approach not only meets growing regulatory expectations but also positions airlines as responsible industry leaders in the green transition. Take a look at how Play showcased its fuel efficiency actions in its [2023 Sustainability Report 👇](https://wab-website.cdn.prismic.io/wab-website/ZfwcD868zyqdRoKM_PLAY_Annualreport_2023_Sustainability.pdf) | | --- | ![Play sustainability report screenshot - page about fuel efficiency](https://blog.openairlines.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog-illustration/Play%20sustainability%20report%202.png?width=2198&height=1470&name=Play%20sustainability%20report%202.png)   ![picto](https://blog.openairlines.com/hs-fs/hubfs/OpenAirlines%20Logo/picto.png?width=111&height=91&name=picto.png) --- ##### LEARN MORE \[CASE STUDY\] Discover VivaAerobus' impressive path to mastering fuel efficiency. 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