U.S. Aerospace manufacturers aiming for net zero by 2050

Aviation industry determined to improve their climate targets to reduce net emissions

U.S. aerospace manufacturers are due to update their climate target to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 in a bid to strengthen their climate target.

U.S. Aerospace Industries Association will be discussing the move on Monday, aiming to collaborate with airlines and governments to achieve their climate goal.

A similar proposal will be voted on by global airlines on Monday at the annual International Air Transport Association meeting in Boston.

Previously, the target was to halve net emissions by 2050 from 2005 levels.

Currently, aviation contributes to 3 per cent of global emissions, with environmental groups saying more needs to be done by governments to achieve targets efficiently.

Aviation director at Brussels-based Transport and Environment says less travel, specifically corporate travel is a necessary step to reducing emissions.

“Aviation won’t get to net zero by 2050 unless it accepts binding climate laws set at national level,” he says.

Another method involves carbon offset fees which will make flights more expensive but will fund greener travel.

Although difficult to implement, steps to combat carbon emissions are necessary to avoid further global warming, with the U.N reporting a 40 per cent chance of global temperatures rising to 1.5 degrees celsius above pre-industrial levels in the next five years.