Quick scan sustainable aviation 2050 (English summary)

The international ambition to render aviation more sustainable requires the deployment of additional reduction options with respect to autonomous efficiency improvements. In order to stimulate the deployment of possible reduction options and to remove existing obstacles, the government has various policy options at its disposal. An efficient reduction policy follows two tracks: making CO2-emissions more expensive and stimulating innovation.

This report is available in Dutch.

This was the conclusion of the KiM Netherlands Institute for Transport Policy Analysis in the ‘Quick scan sustainable aviation 2050: Reduction and policy options for decreasing CO2 emissions’. With this quick scan, KiM has provided some building blocks that the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment can use to help determine the strategic policy priorities required for a sustainable aviation sector.

Given the expected growth in air traffic, efficiency improvements brought about by new conventional technologies cannot prevent CO2 emissions from aviation from increasing.  To reduce CO2 emissions, certain additional reduction options are conceivable; for example, other types of engines or sustainable biofuels. Due to various factors, for example costs or user requirements, the deployment of these options can be obstructed. Therefore it remains uncertain to which extent the achievement of the full potential for CO2 reduction is feasible. The Dutch government can deploy certain policy instruments, or can strive to stimulate reduction options in the international context - ICAO or EU – and remove obstacles that stand in the way.