For the WTTC, which represents the global travel and tourism industry, and IATA, which brings together more than 350 airlines, the path to net zero lies in “practical and scalable” solutions that can accelerate decarbonization without putting at risk connectivity, economic growth or fairness in the face of climate challenges. Gloria Guevara, acting president of WTTC, stressed that “aviation is the backbone of global travel” and that the sector needs governments to foster investments that drive the transition, rather than levies that could become an additional burden on passengers.
Willie Walsh, Director General of IATA, argued that achieving the net zero target by 2050 will require governments to reaffirm ICAO’s leadership, fully implement CORSIA (the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation) and operationalize Article 6 of the Paris Agreement in order to mobilize climate finance towards developing countries. He also warned that “fragmented taxes and charges will not cut emissions; they will simply weaken connectivity and hurt those who depend on it the most.”
The joint statement sets out several key pillars: confirming that ICAO must remain the single regulatory forum for international air transport; strengthening CORSIA as a central mechanism for decarbonization; and urgently advancing implementation of Article 6 to unlock eligible emission units that can generate investment flows into cleaner technologies, fuels and systems.
The importance of this call lies in the fact that aviation—an activity that is crucial for global connectivity and development—faces a crossroads: it must adapt to meet climate goals without jeopardizing its social and economic role. WTTC estimates that the travel and tourism sector must move towards net zero in line with the aviation target set for 2050.
However, the signatories warn that isolated actions, such as ticket taxes or additional charges on passengers, may prove counterproductive. Instead, they advocate for global frameworks that avoid fragmentation and channel resources into real investment in emissions reduction, rather than mere revenue collection. This approach, according to the statement, is especially important to ensure that developing countries and small island states, which are highly dependent on air transport, are not left behind or exposed.
For the tourism and transport sectors, the message is clear: the transition to cleaner, more sustainable aviation is no longer optional, but its success will depend on a genuine alliance between governments, industry, international organizations and financial markets. Time is of the essence: reaching net zero emissions by 2050 requires structural changes in the short and medium term, such as increased production of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), new aircraft technologies, upgrades to airport infrastructure and appropriate financing systems. The signatories are explicit: what is needed are “practical and scalable solutions” and broader access to climate finance.
This global call marks a milestone for an industry that, until now, had pursued similar goals with less demand for political coordination at the international level. With this statement, WTTC, IATA and their partners are setting a course so that aviation can continue to be a driver of growth and development, but under a new paradigm where sustainability and competitiveness go hand in hand. Governments now face the urgent task of responding to this appeal and putting in place coherent policies, standardized regulations and mechanisms that will allow the industry to fly into the future without abandoning climate ambition.
