CAA takes steps towards net zero

The Sultanate of Oman has developed an action plan to reduce carbon emissions from the civil aviation sector. The State Action Plan (SAP) team was established in the country by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). It also included members from the Civil Aviation Authority, national airlines and Oman Airports.

The long-term mitigation measures that can be taken to reduce carbon dioxide emissions include improvements in air traffic management, aircraft technologies (purchase of new aircraft) and, air and ground operations.

The long-term strategy on climate change for the international aviation sector aims to define a quantified CO2 emission baseline scenario, select appropriate emissions mitigation measures from ICAO's basket of measures, and calculate the expected results of implementing those measures.

The objectives are to develop a better understanding of the projections of international aviation CO2 emissions in a State, identify the most relevant mitigation measures, enhance cooperation between aviation stakeholders, support the understanding of policy decisions, and facilitate capacity building and transfer of technology. SAP includes information about national circumstances and the aviation sector in the Sultanate of Oman.

The carbon dioxide emission resulting from international civil aviation activities was calculated from local operators (Oman Air and SalamAir) based on fuel consumption and air traffic data. 2019 was adopted as the base year for building a scenario of carbon dioxide emissions from international civil aviation until 2050 in the business-as-usual scenario (without taking any mitigation measures).

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) unveiled a series of roadmaps to provide step-by-step detailing of critical actions and dependencies for aviation to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

These roadmaps address aircraft technology, energy infrastructure, operations, finance and policy considerations leading to net zero. Governments and industry are aligned to reach the same net zero CO2 emissions goal by 2050.

As policy initiatives lay the foundation on which many of the needed innovations and actions will rest, these roadmaps will be a critical reference point for policymakers. "The roadmaps are the first detailed assessment of the key steps necessary to accelerate the transition to net zero by 2050.

Together, they show a clear direction and will evolve as we dig deeper to set interim milestones on the way to net zero. I must emphasise that roadmaps are not just for airlines. Governments, suppliers and financiers cannot be spectators in aviation's decarbonisation journey. They have skin in the game.

The roadmaps are a call to action for all aviation's stakeholders to deliver the tools needed to make this fundamental transformation of aviation a success with policies and products fit for a net-zero world," said Willie Walsh, IATA's Director-General.

Important are the steps needed to enable aircraft powered by 100 per cent sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), hydrogen, or batteries. All development milestones are backed up by announced investment and demonstrator programmes.

Also included are new engines, aerodynamics, aircraft structures and flight systems. Energy and New Fuels Infrastructure: the focus is on the fuels and new energy carrier infrastructure upstream from airports needed to facilitate the use of aircraft powered by SAF or hydrogen. Renewable energy plays a vital role in meeting the aviation sector's energy demand, and the roadmap outlines milestones to enable the necessary infrastructure developments.

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