The airline industry and many businesses are dedicated to sustainable travel net zero goals; however, many hurdles stand in the way of realizing these goals.

The global airline industry by and large supports the Paris Agreement’s lofty carbon emissions goals. In fact, the industry has set its own goal. It aims to achieve net zero CO2 emissions from air transportation by 2050. Despite this, though, air travel is still one of the largest contributors to energy-related emissions worldwide.

According to the International Energy Agency, the industry is definitely “not on track” to achieving its sustainable travel net zero goals on time. The Agency reported that, in 2023, “aviation accounted for 2.5% of global energy-related CO2 emissions, having grown faster between 2000 and 2019 than rail, road or shipping.” The Agency continued, “As international travel demand recovered following the Covid-19 pandemic, aviation emissions in 2023 reached almost 950 Mt CO2, more than 90% of pre-Covid-19 levels.”

Meanwhile, according to the BBC, currently, just one Traveler in an economy seat, traveling between London and New York City, generates more than 300 kilograms of carbon dioxide per one-way flight. That’s an amount that will require 10 mature trees nearly a year to absorb. The publication estimates that, when you look at the entire aviation industry, it would need to plant 100 billion mature trees each year, in order to reach its sustainable travel net zero goals.

Furthermore, the European Union estimates that, instead of the global aviation industry reaching its sustainable travel net zero goals, carbon dioxide emissions from air travel will have tripled by 2050.

That’s not to say that the industry isn’t trying, though. As JTB Business Travel has reported in the past, airlines are making efforts to be more sustainable. Entire countries are making strides to reduce their airline-related carbon footprints. One such example can be seen in the United Kingdom. There, the government has set even more ambitious sustainable travel net zero goals. It hopes to reach zero emissions for all its domestic flights and domestic airport operations by 2040.

So, with all of these good intentions, what’s standing in the way? There are many challenges that airlines face when it comes to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in particular. Here are just a few that must be overcome before 2050.

1. Transitioning to SAF is a Costly Endeavor—and No One Wants to Foot the Bill

According to the IATA’s finance roadmap, a large number of new biorefineries are needed in order to produce more SAF for air industry usage. However, airlines alone cannot bear the burden of investing in fuel production companies, R&D and the fuel itself, as it’s been pointed out. Some organizations are, as such, calling for greater policy support to broaden the production of, and demand for, SAF.

Just how costly is a transition to SAF, though? IATA estimates that the total transition will cost $4.7 trillion. Without policy support, this cost would lead to a $601 billion revenue gap for the airline industry in 2050, just for the industry to break even.

2. Geopolitical Issues Also Pose a Challenge

There have been many questions surrounding what will happen to progress in meeting sustainable travel net zero goals in the United States, given recent political upheavals. 

As International Airport Review wrote in March, former President Joe Biden had passed numerous policies to grow SAF production in the United States. The publication noted, “Under the Biden Administration (2021-2025) SAF took off. SAF production grew from five million gallons to 93 million gallons in the first three-quarters of 2024. More than 750,000 metric tons of CO2 equivalent to domestic GHG emission reductions occurred in 2024, compared to 50,000 in 2021.”

Now, there are questions as to whether the Biden Administration’s policies and associated tax credits will continue. With that question looming, some producers have ceased SAF production.

In addition to the federal support for SAF, though, there are also state-level incentives that need to be considered. States like Washington, Illinois and Minnesota have previously supported SAF production in their states. However, there’s no assurance that state-level incentives will continue either.

With so many more economic and geopolitical issues in the headlines, SAF may take a backseat in policymakers’ minds.

3. Higher Costs Could Turn Off Passengers

Some are optimistic about how the switch to SAF will impact Travelers (in other words, to a small degree, with little pricing changes). Others, though, are not quite so positive, as can be seen in the BBC article linked above, and anticipate dramatic increases in airfare. 

Of course, if the cost of flying increases, it may deter more Travelers from using air travel as their primary form of transportation. This could lead to another, albeit small, decrease in emissions.

As the Air Transport Action Group points out, at this moment in time, the challenges surrounding SAF adoption are not at all technological. Instead, they are all economic and political. They require pressure on policymakers and investments as they’re required.

Does the Power Lie with the Passenger?

This leads into a broader question. Does the power of overcoming the challenges standing in the way of a full shift to SAF lie with the passenger? What will matter most to Travelers in the years ahead: better deals on flights or sustainability?

It’s something to consider as you plan your business travel and also think about your own sustainability goals. How are airline decisions surrounding SAF and policymakers’ decisions impacting your ability to meet your internal sustainable travel net zero goals? 

As more organizations are striving to reduce their carbon footprints, they may find that they’re more likely to spend more on flights that use SAF, versus always prioritizing the cheapest Business Travel Experience. They may also be more inclined to pressure policymakers to support a more sustainable aviation industry, too.

Need Help Reaching Your Sustainability-Focused Business Travel Goals?

Check out the various resources surrounding sustainable business travel.