Aviation Sustainability, Our Future

Overview

As the voice of the aircraft leasing industry in Ireland, ALI presents this report as a first, unified, positive step by lessors to show our commitment to supporting the wider industry to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.  This narrative outlines the tangible steps to be taken by the industry to support aviation to achieve this goal.  

Air travel has been a catalyst for our global economy. With the industry set to achieve a steady growth rate over the coming years, it is essential that this is delivered sustainably.  This is achievable but it requires a seismic shift in the development of new technologies in the area of carbon sequestration, SAF and new propulsion aircraft.  Support is therefore required at all levels across government and industry.  Ireland, as an island aviation nation, can play a leading role in this technological research and leasing can underpin this by deploying our capital and buying power.   

While recognising the importance of environmental, social, and governance, the focus for this document is primarily on the environmental aspects of ESG, and specifically on the carbon emissions impacts of the aviation industry.  Authored in conjunction with Oliver Wyman, the University of Limerick, and TU Delft Netherlands the narrative outlines aviation’s pathways to achieve net zero by 2050 through aircraft design, operational improvements, SAF, electrical/hydrogen propulsion and recycling.  Also outlined is how ALI and its members can use their influence as owners of the majority of the global leased aircraft fleet to lead and drive aviation towards a sustainable future through tangible actions.

Pathways / To decarbonisation

To enable the aviation industry to meet the 2050 net zero target, a combination of pathways will be required, with the entire aircraft lifecycle taken into consideration. Because the major share of all aircraft lifecycle carbon emissions takes place during flight, priority needs to be placed on fuel and propulsion. Decarbonisation pathways differ for different aircraft categories and should be prioritised in that way as well.

In this video, we outline our priorities for a sustainable future in aviation