As the global climate change summit kicks off in Glasgow, Scotland, this week, an influential group of 10 global airlines, including Air Canada, have formed a coalition to tackle the challenge of rising CO2 emissions from commercial aviation. The non-profit Aviation Climate Taskforce (ACT) was formed to accelerate breakthroughs in emerging technologies to decarbonize aviation, including the development of sustainable aviation fuel.

Other founding members of ACT include Air France-KLM, American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, Lufthansa, Southwest Airlines Co., United Airlines, and Virgin Atlantic, as well as the Boston Consulting Group.

ACT says that aviation currently contributes an average of 2-3% of global carbon dioxide emissions annually, but acknowledges that the number could rise to 20% by 2050 if no action is taken.

Moreover, “aviation is a hard-to-abate sector where dramatically reducing emissions is challenging, and breakthrough innovations are required to help the sector reach net zero,” it adds.

As such, ACT says it will work to stimulate innovation in the next generation of technologies with the majority of its focus on critical medium-term solutions, such as synthetic fuel and direct air capture. Over time, the portfolio will expand to include more near-term solutions, such as emerging bio-based Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) pathways, as well as long-term solutions, such as hydrogen technologies. ACT’s mission will be supported by two pillars: an Innovation Network and a Collaboration Forum.

Air Canada

“Air Canada is highly focused on its environmental performance and has committed to reduce its footprint further by setting a target of net zero emissions by 2050. Combatting global warming requires a global response, and we are pleased to be the first Canadian airline to join the Aviation Climate Taskforce,” said Michael Rousseau, President and CEO at Air Canada. “As a founding member, we will work with other global carriers and invest in emerging technologies to advance the decarbonization of our sector and build a long-term, sustainable aviation industry,”

As part of its climate targets to reach a goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions throughout its global operations by 2050, Air Canada has committed to invest up to $50 million in alternative fuels and carbon reductions, a portion of which will be invested through ACT.