The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is spearheading a global drive toward sustainable aviation, unveiling ambitious strategies to achieve net-zero carbon emissions in the sector by 2050.
The announcement comes ahead of its highly anticipated two-day World Sustainability Symposium (WSS) scheduled for October 21–22, 2025, in Hong Kong.
According to a statement released by Marie Thomsen, Senior Vice President for Sustainability and Chief Economist at IATA, the symposium will gather industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators to shape practical pathways for decarbonising aviation.
The event is strategically positioned between the recently concluded 42nd ICAO Assembly and the upcoming COP30 climate summit.
“The WSS is a forum for new ideas and radical collaboration.
Aviation is a critical component of the global energy transition, and success will require coordinated efforts across governments, industries, and institutions,” Thomsen said.
A key focus of the symposium will be Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), widely regarded as the linchpin for achieving net-zero emissions.
Thomsen described SAF as “the fuel that will do the heavy lifting” for the aviation sector. With production capacity scaling in Asia-Pacific countries such as India, Malaysia, and Vietnam, SAF adoption is poised to expand rapidly.
China has also emerged as a critical player in the SAF landscape.
The country’s pilot programs aim to produce over three million tonnes of SAF, supporting its broader target of carbon neutrality by 2060.
Thomsen emphasized that strategic investment in SAF infrastructure and production capacity is crucial to meet 2050 emission goals.
However, challenges remain. While artificial intelligence investments yield returns of about 20%, renewable energy—including SAF—currently generates around 5% returns.
“Closing this investment gap requires robust government policies, incentives, and public-private partnerships,” Thomsen noted.
IATA has launched several initiatives to accelerate decarbonisation, including the SAF Matchmaker, a SAF Registry, and the Aviation Carbon Exchange, designed to facilitate transparent trading of carbon credits.
Thomsen stressed the need for a global, liquid, and transparent market for both SAF and carbon credits.
“Fragmented national systems risk undermining international agreements such as CORSIA. We need alignment and cooperation to ensure aviation decarbonisation remains on track,” she added.
The WSS will highlight collaborative strategies, drawing lessons from Japan’s approach to disaster resilience and sustainable infrastructure.
Ambassador Nobuharu Imanishi of Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that consistent investment in knowledge, infrastructure, and human capital is critical to build resilient aviation ecosystems.
Furthermore, speakers from the Japan Business Federation and the Japanese Trade Union Confederation will share insights on business continuity, volunteer mobilization, and protecting vulnerable groups.
Such collaborative approaches underline the importance of social dialogue and tripartite cooperation in achieving net-zero targets.
IATA’s roadmap for 2050 is not just a long-term vision but a call to immediate action.
Beyond SAF, the association is advocating for investments in electric aircraft, hydrogen propulsion, and other emerging green technologies.
The organization emphasises the integration of innovation, financing, and regulatory alignment to create a sustainable aviation ecosystem.
Thomsen concluded, “Reaching net-zero by 2050 will require more than ambition.
It demands aligned strategies, serious investment, and unprecedented cooperation across governments, industries, and institutions worldwide.”
The symposium promises to be a pivotal milestone in reshaping global aviation for the green era, balancing environmental responsibility with operational and economic viability.