German government initiates strategy for climate-friendly aviation

The German government wants to promote a culture of innovation to develop CO₂-neutral aviation, reports Deutsche Welle. "We want to make Germany a leading location for more climate-friendly aviation technology," said Chancellor Angela Merkel at the first national aviation conference, a gathering of politicians and aviation professionals held in Germany's eastern city of Leipzig. Although Merkel said the aviation industry needed to become more climate-friendly, the chancellor added that Germany "does not want forced restrictions on our mobility”. Merkel said the aviation industry must demonstrate how growth does not necessarily have to be connected to more climate-harmful emissions. Merkel said the government's hydrogen strategy, to be finalised by the end of the year, would help realise its potential also in aviation to produce climate-friendly alternative fuels.

The global aviation industry is under pressure to reform, as green mobility is an integral part of international efforts to reverse climate change. At the conference, the government, industry and union representatives signed the “Leipzig statement for the future of aviation”, which states that electric and hybrid electric aviation, as well as the market introduction of competitive alternative fuels, are central elements of strategic industrial policy, and must be initiated today.