#Sustainability20: ATAG updates Waypoint 2050, says urgent action needed in the next 5 years & more
Weekly Roundup - 06/02/26
Each Friday, we publish a roundup of the 20 most important stories on sustainable aviation. You can see previous editions of #Sustainability20 here.
Industry updates
ATAG has warned that the next five years are crucial for aviation decarbonisation, urging accelerated SAF scale-up, efficiency improvements and policy action to meet mid-century net-zero targets.
ASEAN countries face a complex net-zero path due to uneven infrastructure, regulatory divergence and financing gaps, requiring stronger regional cooperation to scale sustainable fuels and technology.
The UK environmental watchdog has urged airlines to disclose flight carbon impacts to customers, aiming to boost transparency, support consumer choice and pressure carriers to reduce emissions.
IATA’s chief has warned that shortages of new aircraft and sustainable fuel risk undermining emissions goals, urging accelerated production and supply expansion to avoid future climate setbacks.
CLIMATE WATCH: Flawed economic models mean climate crisis could crash global economy, experts warn - The Guardian
Experts say flawed economic models have underestimated climate risk, potentially crashing the global economy by ignoring tipping points and underpricing damage from accelerating climate change.
Infrastructure and operational efficiencies
A new report has found that improved perceived sustainability in airline cabins could enhance brand value and loyalty, with eco-friendly interiors resonating with environmentally conscious travellers.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
FlyORO is promoting modular airport SAF blending systems to simplify last-mile fuel delivery, aiming to boost on-site SAF access and reduce logistical barriers to widespread adoption.
Singapore has begun a SAF procurement trial with nine firms, including Temasek, Google and SIA, aiming to create early SAF demand and reduce aviation’s carbon footprint.
Honeywell and TruAlt BioEnergy have signed a deal to advance SAF development, combining technology and feedstock expertise to unlock new low-carbon production pathways.
Keppel and ASTER have announced plans for a SAF plant with 100,000-tonne capacity, supporting Singapore’s SAF supply ambitions and regional low-carbon aviation fuel infrastructure.
Indian Oil has secured India’s first SAF certification, planning 35,000 tonnes annually from used cooking oil, supporting national blending targets and early steps towards aviation decarbonisation, though feedstock supply remains critical.
OXCCU has begun using green hydrogen in a pilot plant, aiming to reduce carbon intensity in aviation fuel production and demonstrate hydrogen integration at scale.
FedEx has deployed sustainable aviation fuel at Dallas and New York airports, expanding corporate SAF use to cut lifecycle emissions in cargo operations.
Spanish researchers have developed a reusable catalyst that improves the conversion of biomass into SAF precursors, supporting lower-carbon fuel pathways.
New technology: Electric and Hydrogen
ZeroAvia has detailed certification headwinds slowing its hydrogen aircraft timeline, including regulatory complexity and technical challenges delaying commercial rollout.
AutoFlight has unveiled the world’s first five-ton class eVTOL aircraft, advancing payload capacity for electric vertical flight and supporting broader urban and regional air mobility.
Norway has completed its first electric aviation test project with Bristow Group, marking progress in operational trials of electric aircraft technologies in real-world conditions.
A new partnership with Druck is set to drive breakthroughs in hydrogen-powered aircraft development, combining systems expertise to tackle key propulsion and certification challenges.
The fourth EU Clean Aviation funding proposal has acknowledged hydrogen’s upcoming importance, directing investment towards hydrogen propulsion R&D and future zero-emission aircraft systems.
NTU Singapore has unveiled Singapore’s first locally designed and built full-scale eVTOL technology demonstrator, highlighting growing domestic aerospace R&D and electric aviation capability.
Vertical Aerospace has selected Evolito as its electric propulsion partner for the Valo programme, aiming to advance high-efficiency powertrain technology in its next eVTOL aircraft.
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