Italian committee created to define sustainability roadmap

The Pact for Decarbonising Air Transport has been created to define the road map to achieving sustainability in the air transport sector.

The Pact comprises a steering committee comprising of representatives of institutions, trade associations, large Italian companies and associations. It aims to bring radical change to the achievement of sustainability objectives in the air transport sector in the context of SDGs and the 2030 Agenda and, in this context, the goal of net zero emissions by 2050.

Air transport produces approximately two per cent of global CO₂ emissions, but is nevertheless strongly committed to achieving ever higher levels of sustainability and further reducing emissions. As the aeronautics sector is a central element for economic and social development on a global level, there is a clear need to define a path that makes it compatible development of global connectivity and environmental protection.

The Observatory will gather and disseminate scientific knowledge by rationalising resources and skills in different Italian sectors and academic realities that are an active part of the decarbonisation process. It aims to provide concrete answers to a series of questions that the sector must ask itself, such as defining the methodological context in which to pursue ‘science-based’ objectives, identifying the time limits for implementing the identified solutions, outlining the necessary interventions to ensure operational practicability, technological and economic within precise European and national regulatory frameworks.

The decarbonisation of air transport must see all the players in the sector committed to pursuing the best and most innovative solutions to protect needs of citizens, indeed guaranteeing the sustainable growth of the sector in compliance with the international commitments undertaken by Italy,” commented President of ENAC, Pierluigi Di Palma.

The pact, promoted by Aeroporti di Roma, with the scientific support of the Politecnico di Milano, is due to present the results of its research, ‘Sustainability in the air transport sector’ at an event in July 2022. This event has the patronage of the Ministry of Ecological Transition, the Ministry of Sustainable Infrastructure and Mobility and with the support of the National Agency for Civil Aviation (ENAC).

“Our sector is committed to carrying out an ambitious technological and cultural transformation, with the aim of achieving the highest levels of sustainability and decarbonisation,” stated Alfredo Altavilla, Executive President of Ita Airways.

“We are pleased to be part of this important initiative and to be able to contribute to the definition of innovative actions that will enable Italian air transport to achieve the objectives of reducing its emissions, whilst preserving the competitiveness of the industry.”