Airlines target EU climate rules after carmakers showed the way

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illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on POLITICO or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Europe’s aviation industry is pushing to weaken EU climate rules after carmakers successfully diluted emissions targets
• Airlines are lobbying to soften mandates requiring the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF)
• Industry leaders argue the rules are too costly and risk undermining European competitiveness
• The push mirrors how automakers persuaded the European Commission to relax the 2035 zero-emissions car ban

🔭 The context: Aviation is becoming the next major battleground in Europe’s green transition
• EU rules require airlines to blend 2% SAF today, rising to 6% by 2030 and 70% by 2050
• Executives such as TotalEnergies CEO Patrick Pouyanné and Ryanair have warned the targets are unrealistic
• In addition, some governments, including Italy and Germany, are backing industry calls to prioritize competitiveness

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Aviation is one of the fastest-growing sources of transport emissions
• Flying accounts for roughly 3% of global CO₂ emissions, with additional warming from contrails and non-CO₂ pollutants
• Weakening SAF mandates or carbon pricing would slow emissions reductions in a sector already lagging climate targets
• Delays risk locking in long-term fossil fuel dependence just as aviation emissions need to fall sharply to meet EU climate goals

⏭️ What’s next: The Commission is defending existing rules, but political pressure is intensifying
• Climate groups are preparing for a high-stakes lobbying battle over whether aviation follows cars in rolling back ambition

💬 One quote: “What happened to the car regulation will happen to the SAF regulation,” — Patrick Pouyanné, CEO of TotalEnergies

📈 One stat: Airlines paid about €2.3 billion for EU carbon permits last year, a figure expected to rise to €5 billion by 2030

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