More action is needed across the value chain to convert stakeholders’ cautious optimism into greater confidence in aviation’s ability to meet its decarbonization targets.

 

The research behing the 2025 Global Aviation Sustainability Outlook t shows that industry stakeholders and governments are continuing to make significant progress towards decarbonization. Sentiment around the ability of the sector to meet its 2030 vision remains positive, while a huge amount of resources have been mobilized towards the transition. However, market developments and the evolving views of aviation executives interviewed for this report highlight a number of challenges that have an impact on climate action. Some of these risks are specific to the aviation sector, while others are broader economic and geopolitical constraints. For aviation professionals involved in decarbonizing the sector, tackling some of these challenges while looking to grow sustainably can lead to trade-offs, while paving the way to innovation and new opportunities. These include artificial intelligence – a topic that has not featured heavily in this white paper but which is expected to attract further interest throughout the year and in future iterations of this exercise. To reflect the priorities identified by Airports ofTomorrow and by executives engaged in the initiative throughout the year, the World Economic Forum’s sustainable aviation work for 2025 will: – Continue fostering discussions on SAF policy and geopolitics, identifying where possible synergies exist across regions as well as enablers of greater investment in SAF production and avenues to boost the demand signal, including in emerging markets. – Keep interest in zero-carbon emissions propulsion and infrastructure alive, with an upcoming report on the steps airports can take to become energy hubs; including a greater focus on quantitative analysis that can help enhance an understanding of the techno-economic feasibility of multi-fuel applications within airports in the future. – Explore how innovation can boost both the climate mitigation and adaptation agendas for aviation stakeholders, looking at best practice and enablers that airports and airlines are implementing to disseminate findings and lessons learned.