The Department of Transportation plans to achieve net-zero emissions in the Philippine aviation industry by 2050.
Transport Secretary Jaime J. Bautista said the DOTr is partnering with industry stakeholders to achieve nature-based carbon sink project development.
“Part of the initiative is the promotion of biofuels or sustainable aviation fuels or SAF,” Bautista said.
“We partnered with a top local university to create opportunities for local carbon sink projects that would become a source of local air carriers’ emission offsetting requirements,” he added.
Bautista said the forum is setting clear steps to achieve the net-zero emission goal of the global aviation industry for 2050.
As the global aviation industry recovers, Bautista also said civil aviation regulatory agencies in Europe and Southeast Asia must agree on a course of action towards safe and sustained connectivity to achieve the goal of net-zero emission by 2050.
“This enhanced cooperation among civil aviation regulatory agencies in Europe and Southeast Asia would hopefully lead to improved aviation safety and environmental sustainability while strengthening our resilience to shocks and disruptions in the region,” he said.
Bautista said that air traffic in 2023 has increased by 36.9 percent compared to 2022., 94.1 percent higher or almost double the pre-pandemic levels.
He added that the global air traffic is expected to reach 19.3 billion passengers, 200 million tons of cargo, and 153.8 million aircraft movement by year 2041.