Target True Zero: Government Policy Toolkit to Accelerate Uptake of Electric and Hydrogen Aircraft

The document outlines a three-part framework for governments to decarbonize aviation: framing a net-zero strategy, creating an enabling environment through R&D and infrastructure, and implementing uptake incentives. It emphasizes that while Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) are critical for the medium term, battery-electric and hydrogen propulsion are essential for achieving long-term net-zero goals by 2050. The toolkit suggests a mix of financial incentives, regulatory updates, and international collaborations to overcome high capital costs and infrastructure gaps.

• Aviation's non-CO2 effects, specifically nitrogen oxide emissions and contrail formation, are estimated to have roughly double the climate-warming impact of the sector's CO2 emissions.
• The UN's International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has set a long-term global aspirational goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, but this does not impose specific mandatory reduction targets on individual states.
• Battery-electric aircraft are most suitable for short-distance commuter and regional routes, particularly in island archipelagos and domestic feeder services, due to limited range.
• Hydrogen-powered aircraft are viable for short- and medium-haul travel in the near term, with the theoretical potential for long-haul aircraft by the mid-2030s, provided regulatory and infrastructure challenges are met.
• Scaling alternative propulsion requires massive investment, with an estimated $700 billion to $1.7 trillion needed across the value chain by 2050, 90% of which is for off-airport infrastructure.
• Current aviation fee structures based on maximum take-off weight (MTOW) disadvantage battery-electric aircraft because they are heavier than conventional aircraft.
• Governments can use financial levers to reduce costs for operators, including subsidies for green hydrogen and renewable electricity, low-interest loans for aircraft purchase, and waiving landing fees.
• Regulatory barriers exist in the European Union where the definition of public transport is limited to surface transportation, making aviation applications ineligible for certain public transport subsidies.
• International collaboration is essential for the harmonization of charging and refueling infrastructure to enable aircraft to operate across different jurisdictions.
• The EU's 'Fit for 55' package mandates a minimum use of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) starting at 2% in 2025 and rising to 5% by 2030, including a 0.7% sub-target for synthetic fuels by 2030.

APA

World Economic Forum (2023). Target True Zero: Government Policy Toolkit to Accelerate Uptake of Electric and Hydrogen Aircraft. https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Target_True_Zero_Government_Policy_Toolkit_2023.pdf

Chicago

World Economic Forum. Target True Zero: Government Policy Toolkit to Accelerate Uptake of Electric and Hydrogen Aircraft. 2023. https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Target_True_Zero_Government_Policy_Toolkit_2023.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Economic Forum |title=Target True Zero: Government Policy Toolkit to Accelerate Uptake of Electric and Hydrogen Aircraft |date=July 2023 |url=https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Target_True_Zero_Government_Policy_Toolkit_2023.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldeconomicforum2023target, author = {{World Economic Forum}}, title = {{Target True Zero: Government Policy Toolkit to Accelerate Uptake of Electric and Hydrogen Aircraft}}, institution = {World Economic Forum}, year = {2023}, month = jul, url = {https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Target_True_Zero_Government_Policy_Toolkit_2023.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }