A global survey commissioned by GE Aerospace reveals broad industry alignment on sustainability but underscores the need for accelerated support to meet 2050 net-zero goals.
Survey findings showed that a large majority of companies have implemented sustainability policies. Seventy-six percent of respondents said that sustainability had changed how the industry works and 74 percent of those with such strategies in place said their sustainability investments would grow or remain the same, even in the face of inflation or recession.
Some 30 percent of respondents said that meeting decarbonization goals ranks as the top industry challenge today, compared with supply chain issues at 19 percent and labor issues at 11 percent.
Global market research company Ipsos carried out the research in May involving 325 middle or higher senior managers running aviation, aerospace, transport, logistics, or travel companies with more than 100 employees and annual revenues of $5 million or its equivalent, from the U.S., UK, China, India, the UAE, and France.
GE Aerospace said it is meeting sustainability challenges directly by collaborating with customers to accelerate near-term uptake of alternative fuels and “looking ahead to identify long-term opportunities for the future of flight.” It began testing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in 2007.
“These results show that the aviation industry is focused on the goal of achieving net zero CO2 emissions by 2050, while also recognizing the need to accelerate efforts and ensure all key stakeholders are on the playing field,” said Allen Paxson, GE Aerospace v-p and general manager of commercial programs strategy.