COP26 outcomes provide boost for aviation decarbonisation and the sector’s net zero ambitions

Whether COP26 is ultimately judged a success or failure, a number of notable outcomes for the aviation sector emerged that could accelerate momentum and encourage progress towards its net zero emissions by mid-century ambition. One important achievement was resolving differences and uncertainties over Article 6 of the Paris Agreement that provides for market and non-market mechanisms for countries and non-state participants to meet emission reduction targets. According to carbon markets body IETA, decisions on double-counting avoidance and other environmental integrity fundamentals will provide a boost in confidence to airline investors and the CORSIA carbon offsetting scheme. COP26 also saw the launch of the UK-led International Aviation Climate Ambition Coalition – with an initial 23 signatory countries – that is calling for an agreement on setting a long-term, net-zero target at next year’s ICAO Assembly. Among the many aviation-focused side events that took place over the two-week Glasgow COP was the unveiling of a toolkit to help countries develop a sustainable aviation fuel policy framework. [...]