Net zero commitments abound: In the run-up to COP26, many airlines are announcingnet zero commitments for 2050. On 4 October, the IATA AGM voted to commit the globalairline industry to achieve net zero by 2050. Sustainability sits higher up the agenda inEurope, North America and Japan than elsewhere in the world.

Limited intermediate targets: Whilst commitments for 2050 proliferate, the pathwayto actually deliver net zero outcomes generally remains somewhat opaque. Relativelyfew airlines have intermediate decarbonisation targets. Moreover, several near-termenvironmental commitments relate to unit rather than absolute emissions targets.Many airlines’ projected growth rates will thus still lead to increasing GHG emissionsin the coming years.