Several European companies and industry groups have endorsed the signing of the so-called Toulouse Declaration, marking the first time that European governments, the European Commission, and the aviation industry have formally aligned their aims to reach net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050.
In a joint statement, Airbus, Air France-KLM, ATR, Dassault Aviation, Groupe ADP, Safran, and Thales confirmed their commitment to a collective approach to address the challenges of a transition to sustainable aviation. They also urged the European Commission to implement the launch of industrial alliances they called critical to aligning “the entire ecosystem around this joint ambition,” particularly the Renewable and Low-Carbon Fuels Value Chain Industrial Alliance, the Alliance for Zero Emission Aviation, and the European Raw Materials Alliance.
Finally, the companies called for the global adoption of the commitments taken by the European Union. “In the meantime, we urge the European Union to implement mechanisms to ensure a level playing field and to avoid any carbon leakage linked to distortion of competition among stakeholders within the global aviation ecosystem,” they said in a joint statement.
“We will continue to invest in the maturation, development, and implementation of decarbonization technologies—notably operations, next-generation aircraft and engines, sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), and synthetic fuels—and look to institutions to support the development and deployment of innovations, especially through proven public-private research partnership instruments (such as Clean Aviation, SESAR, and CORAC), as well as appropriate support policies to accelerate fleet renewal and SAF incorporation under viable economic conditions for all stakeholders,” the companies added.
Separately, the so-called Destination 2050 partners—namely, Airlines for Europe, Airports Council International-Europe, ASD Europe, the Civil Air Navigation Services Organization, and the European Regions Airline Association—called on the European Commission and EU member states that have signed Friday’s declaration to develop and support as a next step an EU Pact for Aviation Decarbonization. Under that agreement, member states and the commission should commit to a “structured dialogue” with industry to review and complement the Fit for 55 legislative package “with concrete and timely supportive measures,” said the group.
Such measures would include public and private funding to channel investments, R&D, and innovation into decarbonization and a more sustainable aviation ecosystem—including through European partnerships such as the Alliance for Zero Emission Aviation, Alliance for Renewable and Low Carbon Fuels Value Chain, Clean Aviation, Clean Hydrogen, and SESAR Joint Undertakings—and by including relevant aviation activities into the EU taxonomy for sustainable finance,” said the group.
“The Destination 2050 partners now expect the Toulouse Declaration to be translated into a structured dialogue and concrete policy action,” the alliance said in a statement. “Industry is already transitioning to a decarbonized future through improvements in aircraft and engine technologies, the development of sustainable aviation fuels, improvements in air traffic management and aircraft operations, as well as through efficient economic measures. An effective policy, regulatory, and financial framework is needed at European and national levels to support and accelerate this transformation."