Air passengers want to see lower carbon emissions from flying, according to a new survey, and they would prefer governments to promote the development of more sustainable jet fuels rather than rely on punitive taxes.
A report commissioned by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) finds that travelers favor policies that encourage technological innovation and wider use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) as the most effective ways to reduce aviation’s carbon footprint.
Survey respondents prioritized the following actions:
— Support for the development and commercialization of sustainable aviation fuels (64 percent)
— Support for research, development and improved operations and technologies (62 percent)
By contrast, environmental taxes were among the least popular measures, with just 22 percent of passengers endorsing that approach.
“Public opinion has a clear message to governments: work with aviation to encourage investment in clean fuels and new hybrid and electric technology. This will help airlines cut emissions in half by 2050,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s director general and CEO.
IATA notes that commercial aviation accounts for roughly 2 percent of annual global carbon emissions. The industry has set targets including carbon-neutral growth from 2020 and a plan to halve net emissions by 2050.
De Juniac highlighted industry efforts to improve efficiency: “Airlines have spent billions on new aircraft that have helped cut emissions per passenger in half since 1990. From next year we will cap emissions in a global offsetting scheme that will generate $40 billion of climate financing. And airlines have committed to buying the sustainable aviation fuel that is available.”
He emphasized that sustainable aviation fuels are the most promising pathway for aviation to reduce its environmental impact. “Promoting their commercialization will do more than any tax,” de Juniac said.
The survey results, he added, reflect a clear public preference: people want to continue traveling and value the freedom to fly, but they also expect both the industry and governments to take meaningful action on emissions. In that context, de Juniac argued that making flying more expensive is not the solution; instead, policies that encourage new technologies and wider adoption of sustainable fuels offer the most constructive route forward.