European countries sign breakthrough ‘Toulouse Declaration’ with aviation – driving sector’s decarbonisation plans forward

The Destination 2050 associations and their members today endorsed the ‘Toulouse Declaration’ – the first-ever public–private initiative setting a joint vision and supporting European aviation’s goal to reach net zero CO2 emissions by 2050. This is also the first joint initiative of its kind globally, aligning all European stakeholders on the principles and actions needed to decarbonise and transform its aviation sector, representing a true breakthrough.

 

The Destination 2050 decarbonisation roadmap was launched in 2021 by Europe’s five leading aviation associations, representing airlines, airports, aerospace manufacturers and air navigation service providers. It lays out a joint industry long-term vision with the same net zero CO2 emissions objective, consistent with the EU’s long-term climate goals and the Paris Agreement.

 

The Destination 2050 partners now expect the Toulouse Declaration to be translated into a structured dialogue and concrete policy action. Industry is already transitioning to a decarbonised 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 level to support and accelerate this transformation.

 

The Destination 2050 partners therefore call on the European Commission and EU Member States who have signed today’s Declaration to develop and support as a next step an EU Pact for Aviation Decarbonisation. In this Pact, 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, including:

The Declaration’s supporters have also committed to working with the UN’s International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) towards the adoption of an ambitious ‘long-term aspirational goal’ (LTAG) for aviation which is consistent with efforts to reach net zero CO2 emissions in 2050. The adoption of such a goal would take place during ICAO’s 41st Assembly in September 2022.

 

Aviation is a global business, and a strong global framework should be established and put into action to enable aviation’s decarbonisation to happen on an international scale, matching Europe’s ambition while at the same time preserving a level playing field and international competitiveness.

 

Launched by the French Presidency to the EU on the 4 February 2022, the so-called “Toulouse Declaration” is the first-ever public-private initiative supporting European aviation’s goal to reach net zero CO2 emissions by 2050. This is also the first joint initiative of its kind globally, aligning all EU stakeholders on the principles and actions needed to decarbonise and transform Europe’s aviation sector, representing a true breakthrough. A number of European airports and airport associations have endorsed the Declaration, which complements their objective of reaching net zero CO2 emissions by 2050 at the latest, first set out in June 2019 in the ACI EUROPE Resolution committing European airports to this ambitious goal. 77 airport operators of 250 airports came out in support of the Toulouse Declaration – you can find them listed here below. 

 

[Toulouse] Declaration on future sustainability and decarbonisation of aviation

The [public and private aviation stakeholders] declare that they:

 

 

The following airport operators endorsed this declaration: 

 

In addition the following national airport associations joined the Declaration: