European aviation revises down hydrogen’s role in net zero: Europe’s aviation industry has lowered its expectations for hydrogen-powered planes in achieving net zero by 2050, warning that the cost of decarbonization has surged, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday, citing a revised net zero roadmap (pdf) by industry groups. The roadmap projects that hydrogen-powered aircraft will account for just 6% of emission reduction by 2050 — down from a 20% forecast in 2021 — due to a lower-than-expected market share. The report also estimates that European aviation will face more than EUR 1.3 tn in extra costs to reach net zero, EUR 480 bn higher than previous projections.

A “reality check”: Despite reaffirming their net zero commitment, trade bodies behind the report called it a “reality check” for the European Commission, and urged immediate action to support decarbonization.

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