Science-based Target Setting for the Aviation Sector

The guidance outlines a target-setting framework for the aviation sector based on the Science Based Targets initiative's (SBTi) Sectoral Decarbonization Approach (SDA). It defines carbon intensity pathways derived from the IEA's Sustainable Development Scenario, requiring the sector to reduce average carbon intensity by approximately 35-40% between 2019 and 2035, and 65% by 2050. The framework covers Well-to-Wake (WTW) emissions, excluding non-CO2 factors due to scientific uncertainty. It provides specific instructions for aircraft operators to converge toward sector intensity levels and for aviation service users to address Scope 3 emissions, including a linear annual reduction rate of 0.4% for business air travel. The document also specifies criteria for the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) and explicitly excludes out-of-value-chain carbon offsets from meeting science-based reduction targets.

• The aviation sector must reduce its average carbon intensity by approximately 35-40% between 2019 and 2035, and by approximately 65% between 2019 and 2050 to align with the Paris Agreement.
• Target setting for airlines utilizes the Sectoral Decarbonization Approach (SDA), which requires a company's carbon intensity to converge with the sector's Paris-aligned GHG intensity by 2050.
• The guidance focuses exclusively on Well-to-Wake (WTW) emissions, which combine Tank-to-Wake (combustion) and Well-to-Tank (production, refinement, and distribution) emissions, to accurately account for Sustainable Aviation Fuels and alternative power plants.
• Non-CO2 factors are excluded from quantitative target setting due to a lack of mitigation solutions and scientific uncertainty, although airlines are encouraged to report these impacts separately.
• For users of aviation services, business air travel targets (Scope 3 category 6) are set using the absolute contraction method with a linear annual reduction rate of 0.4% for the period 2019-2050.
• Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) can be used to meet targets provided they meet a minimum reduction threshold of 10%, though a threshold of 50% is recommended.
• Out-of-value-chain neutralization or compensation credits cannot be used to achieve science-based reduction targets, as these targets focus exclusively on in-value-chain reductions.
• The aviation sector is segmented into five market segments based on payload type and stage length to ensure fair target setting, recognizing that short-haul flights (<1,500 km) have significantly higher CO2 intensity.

APA

WWF International (2021). Science-based Target Setting for the Aviation Sector. https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/709/1hc2pyic86_SBTi_AviationGuidanceAug2021.pdf

Chicago

WWF International. Science-based Target Setting for the Aviation Sector. 2021. https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/709/1hc2pyic86_SBTi_AviationGuidanceAug2021.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=WWF International |title=Science-based Target Setting for the Aviation Sector |date=August 2021 |url=https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/709/1hc2pyic86_SBTi_AviationGuidanceAug2021.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{wwfinternational2021sciencebased, author = {{WWF International}}, title = {{Science-based Target Setting for the Aviation Sector}}, institution = {WWF International}, year = {2021}, month = aug, url = {https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/709/1hc2pyic86_SBTi_AviationGuidanceAug2021.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }