Recommendations

• Continue to enhance the EAER such that it delivers a comprehensive monitoring system on the environmental performance of the European aviation sector and allows prioritising actions¹⁵ and use of resources to achieve agreed objectives.
  • Provision of aviation sector data and analysis to demonstrate the effectiveness of European Green Deal policies.
  • Supply information for robust decision-making and harmonise reporting at the European and ICAO level.
  • Closer cooperation between European organisations (e.g. EU, EUROCONTROL, ECAC), and their Member States, is critical in achieving this objective.
• Respond to concerns of European citizens by promoting accurate, transparent and effective communication¹⁶ on the environmental performance of aviation.

• Agree on ambitious CO2 and noise standards for new aircraft types at CAEP/13 in 2025 in order to influence future designs and contribute to achieving agreed sustainability goals (e.g., EU Climate Law and Zero Pollution Action Plan; ICAO goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050).
• Review the current NOX emissions standard for aircraft engines, and enhance non-volatile Particulate Matter emissions measurement procedures, during the CAEP/14 work programme (2025-2028).
• Update the current ICAO independent experts 10-year medium (2027) and 20-year long-term (2037) technology goals so they remain relevant and fit for purpose.
• Enhance the understanding of aircraft engine emissions characteristics, including during the certification process, so as to improve the modelling accuracy of non-CO2 emissions in cruise.
• Ensure technological, industrial and certification readiness of new concept aircraft and engines to meet the planned in-service schedule and use of 100% SAF.

• Build on the recent Single European Sky (SES2+) reform to modernise Air Traffic Management (ATM) and incentivise environmental performance.
• Accelerate development of new SESAR solutions and their deployment with environmental benefits (e.g., ‘Common Project 1’ ATM functionalities and Master Plan Strategic Deployment Objectives).
• Drive forward improvements in ATM infrastructure and aircraft operations through closer cooperation, and the development of suitable key performance indicators to achieve better climate and environmental performance in the European aviation network.

• Foster onsite production of renewable energy at airports, with the support of the Connecting Europe Facility, to electrify ground operations and mitigate noise, air quality and climate impacts.
• In line with ReFuelEU Aviation, take all necessary measures to facilitate the access to and uptake of SAF through infrastructure investment, cooperation with supply chain stakeholders, financial incentives and supportive policy / governance frameworks.
• Consider improvements to the ‘Balanced Approach’ Noise Regulation for managing noise impacts around airports that facilitate consistent implementation by Member States, accelerated compliance and ensures operational restrictions are used only after consideration of all other elements.

• Reduce the price gap between SAF and fossil-based fuels by building on the Green Deal Industrial Plan, the allocated ETS allowances and ReFuelEU Aviation supporting measures to deliver the supply mandate.
• Promote SAF with the greatest emissions reductions to maximise their contribution to the European Green Deal as well as the ICAO LTAG and CAAF/3 objectives.
• Explore the potential of accounting mechanisms for SAF to facilitate the traceability and claiming of SAF benefits, while preserving the environmental integrity of decarbonisation schemes.
• Progress towards alignment of SAF sustainability certification across regulatory compliance regimes.
• Identify how aviation fuel composition, both fossil and SAF fractions, can be optimised to mitigate overall climate and air quality impacts (e.g. fuel standards).

• Incentivise sustainable finance within the sector, including via the implementation of the EU Taxonomy System for aviation activities.
• Support the 2025 CORSIA Periodic Review to ensure the effectiveness of the scheme in contributing to the sustainable development of the global aviation sector and encourage participation of ICAO States during the voluntary Phase 1 period (2024-2026).
• Progress proposed revisions to the Energy Taxation Directive to encourage the use of low or zero carbon energy sources.
• Ensure the quality and credibility of voluntary and compliance-based carbon credits, including carbon removals, used to offset or reduce emissions within the aviation sector.

• Increase research resources and coordination at the EU (e.g. Horizon Europe, EU Innovation Fund) and National level on strategic priorities across all areas (technology, operations, fuels) to meet the 2030 climate target and ensure the aviation sector is on the right path for the 2040 target.
• Bring greater cohesion to the research on the climate effect of aviation non-CO2 emissions. This would aim to advance scientific understanding and to develop robust decision-making capabilities that take into account uncertainties as part of a risk-based assessment to ensure mitigation measures lead to an overall reduction in climate impact (CO2 and non-CO2).
• As Europe’s climate is warming twice as fast as the global average, place a greater priority on ensuring the aviation sector’s resilience and preparedness for these future changes

• Step up green diplomacy and technical collaboration with Partner States to address global aviation sustainability challenges.
• Facilitate the transition to sustainable economic models, including through the realisation of viable SAF businesses.
• Maximise the use of international cooperation resources through the effective coordination of European actions with Partner States.

¹⁴ The European Green Deal encompasses in particular the European Climate Law, the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy and the Zero Pollution Action Plan. 
¹⁵ In 2023, single-aisle jets generated 71% of the total landing and take-off noise energy at all EU27+EFTA airports. Single and twin- aisle jets accounted for 77% of flights departing from EU27+EFTA airports and 96% of CO2 emissions, while 6% of the flights were long-haul (>4 000 km) accounting for 46% of CO2. In 2050, the aviation sector in the EU27+EFTA should reduce its CO2 emissions from departing flights by at least 65% through in-sector measures (technology, operations, fuels). This would leave almost 60 million tonnes of CO2 that would need to be addressed through out-of-sector measures (e.g. market-based measures). 
¹⁶ e.g. EAER, Certified aircraft-engine environmental data, SES Performance Scheme KPIs, Flight Emissions Label, annual ReFuelEU SAF Reports, ETS / CORSIA emissions data, Zero Pollution Monitoring Reports.