Allison Lampert

Las Vegas (Reuters) – The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and other industry groups on Tuesday committed to “net zero” carbon emissions by 2050, as the sector’s flagship private jet show kicked off in Las Vegas.

In bolstering its efforts to combat climate change, business aviation joined airports and airlines. In 2005, industry pledged that it would reduce emissions to half by 2050.

Global CO2 emissions are approximately 3% due to aviation. Private travel has risen rapidly, which is placing greater demands on the business aviation sector for reducing emissions.

Reuters was told by aviation executives and brokers at the exhibition that they were interested in more efficient models. However, buyers do not hesitate to ask about offsetting and will continue to purchase private or corporate travel due the current environment.

Business aviation produces a smaller amount of pollutants than commercial. However, private travel is more polluting per passenger than scheduled airlines.

Ed Bolen, the chief executive officer of NBAA said that “the world is demanding sustainability.” He addressed reporters during a breakfast.

The same target was set by a global group of airlines at the annual Boston general meeting a week ago.

Recycled material is being used by planemakers to increase the aircraft’s fuel efficiency and lighter weight.

However, like airline executives, corporate aviation experts agree that the best way to reduce carbon emissions is to use sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). This isn’t widely available because of its high costs.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, sustainable aviation fuel can be made from “renewable biomass and other waste resources”, and it has the potential to “deliver the same performance as petroleum-based jetfuel but with a fraction of the carbon footprint.”

“SAF will decarbonize the industry quickly,” said Éric Trappier, chief executive of Dassault Aviation SA

Trappier said that while SAF supply is not sufficient to meet the demands of commercial aviation, a rise in production could be more convenient for private travel.

He said that clients are willing to pay more for fuel in an interview on the fringes of the program.

Honeywell International’s recent survey on business aviation (NASDAQ:) found that 83% of respondents to the 2021 survey said they don’t currently employ any “environmentally-friendly” methods of flight operation.