The International Air Transport Association (IATA) recently announced plans to begin publishing an annual Track Zero report on the aviation industry’s progress toward net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
“Transparency is a critical element of aviation’s decarbonization,” Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA senior vice president sustainability and chief economist, said. “We will report our progress annually to ensure standardized, accurate and comprehensive reporting of aviation’s journey to net zero. Industry-level data in the Track Zero report will help airlines, governments, and investors with tools to improve decision-making to accelerate progress.”
IATA’s Net Zero Tracking Methodology and related reporting process were developed with industry experts. The methodology includes accuracy, comprehensiveness and standardization.
The accuracy methodology includes best practices for data collection and validation.
The comprehensiveness methodology includes decarbonization activities on a lifecycle basis such as carbon offsets/carbon capture, future power sources and conventional and sustainable aviation fuel.
The standardization methodology establishes a framework by identifying the relevant emissions scope, sources, and processes for emissions tracking and measurement.
The organization plans to aggregate data from the previous calendar year and report on it annually during the fourth quarter. The first report will publish in 2024.
IATA represents approximately 300 airlines comprising 83 percent of global air traffic.