FORLIANCE'S EXPERTISE IN ADVANCING CLIMATE SOLUTIONS FOR THE AVIATION INDUSTRY

FORLIANCE empowers the aviation sector to achieve its sustainability goals by delivering tailored climate strategies, precise emissions accounting, and nature-based solutions that address the industry's unique environmental challenges.

 

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HOW FORLIANCE CAN HELP THE AVIATION AND AIRLINES SECTOR TO BE MORE SUSTAINABLE

 

The aviation industry faces mounting pressure to reduce its environmental footprint amidst growing air travel demand. Challenges such as high emissions, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder expectations necessitate comprehensive solutions. FORLIANCE offers the aviation sector customized climate strategies, including accurate emissions analysis, carbon footprinting, and the development of nature-based climate projects, to navigate these complexities and achieve sustainability objectives.

KEY CLIMATE CHALLENGES FACING THE AVIATION SECTOR

Regulatory Compliance Under CORSIA

The aviation industry faces growing pressure to meet international regulatory frameworks, most notably the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA). Airlines operating international routes must comply with strict monitoring, reporting, and offsetting requirements that vary by jurisdiction and phase of implementation. Navigating these evolving compliance demands—especially across multiple markets such as the EU, U.S., China, and the UAE—requires significant administrative resources, technical accuracy, and risk management. Failure to comply can result in financial penalties, reputational damage, and increased scrutiny from regulators and stakeholders.

High Operational and Offsetting Costs

Fuel remains one of the most significant cost drivers in aviation, often comprising over a quarter of an airline’s total operating expenses. With the introduction of mandatory offsetting schemes and voluntary climate commitments, airlines are now incurring additional costs tied to carbon credits and sustainability initiatives. These expenses are further amplified by market volatility in offset prices, fluctuating fuel costs, and limited access to affordable mitigation tools. The challenge is to implement climate measures without eroding financial performance or competitiveness in a price-sensitive industry.

Ambitious Sustainability Targets & Decarbonization Pressure

Airlines are under mounting pressure to align with global climate goals, including Net Zero by 2050, while maintaining service quality and profitability. Stakeholders—from investors to civil society—demand ambitious decarbonization plans backed by science-based targets and verified emissions reductions. However, integrating sustainable practices into complex aviation systems poses challenges, particularly due to long aircraft lifecycles, dependency on fossil-based jet fuels, and limited short-term alternatives. The gap between ambition and implementation remains a significant strategic and operational challenge.

Shifting Customer Expectations for Eco-Friendly Travel Options

Today’s travelers increasingly evaluate airlines not only by price and service, but also by their environmental impact. Eco-conscious consumers expect clear information about emissions, sustainability programs, and the use of alternative fuels or carbon offsetting. This shift in behavior creates pressure on airlines to demonstrate real climate commitment and transparency. Failing to meet these expectations can lead to reputational risk and customer attrition, particularly among younger, environmentally aware demographics.

Competition and Differentiation Through Sustainability

As more airlines announce climate targets and sustainability initiatives, it becomes harder to differentiate based solely on green claims. In a highly competitive market, the ability to establish a credible, data-driven sustainability profile is becoming a core differentiator. Airlines that are unable to substantiate their claims risk being accused of greenwashing, while those that fall behind may lose ground to more proactive competitors. The challenge lies in turning sustainability from a communications tool into a core business asset. 

Lack of Integrated Strategic Approaches

Many airlines struggle to link their regulatory, financial, operational, and communications efforts into a coherent climate strategy. Sustainability initiatives are often fragmented across departments, resulting in inefficiencies, inconsistent messaging, and missed opportunities. Without a unified, long-term roadmap, airlines risk implementing disconnected actions that fail to achieve meaningful impact or measurable results. Bridging this gap is essential for building resilience and future-proofing the business model in a rapidly changing policy and market environment. 

IMPACT-DRIVEN SUSTAINABILITY CONSULTING FOR THE AVIATION INDUSTRY

OUR SOLUTION

 

Emissions Analysis & Reporting

To support regulatory compliance, FORLIANCE offers precise emissions monitoring and reporting in line with CORSIA and ICAO standards. Our services include CORSIA-eligible carbon credits and integrate data from flight operations, fuel use, and radiative forcing effects—enabling a comprehensive view of climate impact and accurate, reliable reporting.

CSRD-Aligned Reporting Support

With sustainability reporting becoming mandatory in many jurisdictions, FORLIANCE equips airlines to meet CSRD requirements by integrating relevant environmental metrics into corporate reporting systems. This ensures transparency, accountability, and strong positioning in a regulatory and ESG-sensitive market.

Carbon Footprinting

FORLIANCE delivers advanced carbon footprinting for airlines, covering full lifecycle emissions from ground services to international flights. Aligned with ICAO and CORSIA, our analyses highlight emission hotspots, enabling sustainability teams to focus on the most impactful areas and track progress toward climate goals.

Financing Climate Projects

Offsetting costs remain a challenge for airlines. FORLIANCE provides access to affordable, high-quality nature-based solutions (NBS) that are often more economical than technology-based removals. Our project portfolio ensures verified climate benefits, supports biodiversity, and adds measurable value to sustainability investments.

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With deep expertise in the aviation sector, FORLIANCE helps you turn complex climate challenges into actionable, industry-ready solutions — start your transformation today.

Milan Pal, Manager Partnerships Development
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FAQs ON CLIMATE SOLUTIONS FOR THE AVIATION INDUSTRY

 

What is the Radiative Forcing Index (RFI), and why is it important in aviation emissions analysis?

The Radiative Forcing Index (RFI) is a critical metric in aviation climate science, as it accounts for both direct and indirect climate effects of air travel. Unlike CO₂ alone, RFI includes the warming impacts of nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), water vapor, and contrail formation at cruising altitudes, which can significantly amplify aviation’s overall climate impact—by a factor of up to 2–4 depending on the route and altitude. 

For aviation companies striving to present credible sustainability reports, incorporating RFI into emissions analysis ensures a more holistic and scientifically robust understanding of their climate footprint. FORLIANCE supports clients in accurately calculating RFI-adjusted emissions and integrating these insights into carbon reduction strategies and reporting frameworks such as CORSIA or CSRD, ensuring both compliance and credibility.

How can airlines effectively integrate Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs) into their operations?

Integrating SAFs into airline operations goes far beyond procurement—it requires long-term strategic planning, infrastructure investment, and policy alignment. Airlines can begin by establishing offtake agreements with SAF producers to secure consistent fuel supply at predictable pricing. Participation in public-private partnerships and alliances (e.g., Clean Skies for Tomorrow) can accelerate access to next-gen fuels and co-fund production capacity. 

Additionally, airlines should work closely with airports and fuel logistics providers to enable SAF blending and delivery at hubs. FORLIANCE assists airlines by conducting lifecycle assessments (LCAs) for SAF options, advising on the carbon intensity of different feedstocks, and helping integrate SAF adoption into corporate climate strategies—ensuring emissions reductions are scientifically verified and financially scalable.

What are the benefits of investing in nature-based climate projects for airlines?

Nature-based climate solutions (NbCS), such as reforestation, agroforestry, or peatland restoration, offer airlines a powerful way to address unavoidable emissions while supporting global biodiversity and social equity. For an airline operating globally, investing in high-integrity NbCS not only provides certified carbon credits (e.g., via Verra or Gold Standard) but also aligns with broader Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) goals. 

These projects offer co-benefits such as water security, habitat protection, and rural job creation—making them highly impactful beyond pure offsetting. FORLIANCE supports airlines in selecting, financing, and monitoring nature-based projects that are aligned with sector-specific emissions profiles and stakeholder expectations, thereby adding transparency, trust, and long-term value to sustainability portfolios.

How does FORLIANCE support airlines in meeting regulatory compliance?

The regulatory landscape for aviation emissions is rapidly evolving, with frameworks like the EU ETS, UK ETS, and CORSIA becoming increasingly stringent. Airlines face complex challenges in aligning corporate GHG accounting with multiple jurisdictional requirements while maintaining operational flexibility. FORLIANCE provides end-to-end support—from emissions data collection and audit preparation to strategy alignment and offset sourcing. 

We help clients build CSRD-compliant reporting systems that integrate climate risks and transition plans, while also navigating the nuances between voluntary and mandatory carbon markets. By applying sector-specific benchmarks and ensuring traceable reporting, FORLIANCE empowers aviation companies to reduce regulatory risk and enhance transparency across stakeholder groups, including investors and regulators.

Why is stakeholder communication crucial in aviation sustainability efforts?

The aviation sector operates under high public visibility, making stakeholder communication a central pillar of successful sustainability efforts. Transparent and proactive communication helps airlines address growing scrutiny from passengers, regulators, NGOs, and institutional investors. Stakeholders increasingly demand clarity around climate targets, credible data on emissions, and evidence of progress—particularly in areas like SAF adoption, offset integrity, and decarbonization timelines.

FORLIANCE works with airline communication teams to craft evidence-based ESG narratives, build trust through impact storytelling, and align disclosures with international standards like TCFD and GRI. Effective stakeholder engagement not only enhances brand reputation but also strengthens investor confidence and customer loyalty in a competitive market where sustainability is becoming a decisive factor.

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