Aviation’s path to net zero: SAF, hydrogen and industrial decarbonisation

Air travel ranks as the second-largest source of CO2 emissions in the transport sector, after road transport. Decarbonisation is not just about replacing fossil fuels with sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). Industrial processes now account for nearly a quarter of global CO2 emissions, meaning that total aviation decarbonisation requires rethinking not just aircraft fuel, but also the entire ecosystem that builds, maintains, and powers aircraft on the ground.  In this context, aviation's path to net zero spans three fronts: the adoption of SAF, the development of novel propulsion systems, and the transformation of manufacturing and supply chain operations. The UK's commitment to net zero emissions by 2050 puts aviation squarely in focus and is driving significant investment in low-carbon technologies and new industrial partnerships.  While SAF dominates public discourse, production and supply chains have received comparatively little attention, despite their critical role in the industry's overall carbon footprint. The recent Siemens–Airbus–Capgemini partnership to decarbonise Airbus's UK manufacturing sites has brought this neglected front back into view, underscoring how critical ground-based operations and industrial systems are to truly sustainable aviation.