A taskforce has been formed to accelerate breakthroughs in emerging technologies for the decarbonisation of aviation.

Airlines including Air Canada Air France-KLM, American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, Lufthansa, Southwest Airlines Co., United Airlines and Virgin Atlantic, have joined Boston Consulting Group to form the Aviation Climate Taskforce (ACT).

ACT will stimulate innovation in the next generation of technologies, focusing on critical medium-term solutions such as synthetic fuel and direct air capture.

Over time, the portfolio will expand to include more near-term solutions, such as emerging bio-based sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) pathways, as well as long-term solutions like hydrogen technologies. ACT's mission will be supported by its Innovation Network and Collaboration Forum.

The Innovation Network will accelerate technological breakthroughs by focusing on early-stage research. With a clear view of the existing networks of innovations available, ACT will provide grant funding and host innovation challenges, to stimulate new patterns of collaboration and research.

The Collaboration Forum will support the Innovation Network by identifying other ways to jointly reduce carbon emissions, such as expediting the adoption and scale-up of next generation technologies through engagement with experts and thought leaders.

ACT intends to launch an Investment Fund, in which members and other third parties may participate. The Investment Fund will provide capital to rapidly scale up emerging technologies that have the potential to dramatically reduce the carbon footprint of air travel.

Over the course of its first year, ACT will concentrate on selecting focus areas within these technologies and setting up the Innovation Network.