Mastering the Shift: Why Governments Must Back Clean Aviation Innovation

The race to net-zero aviation is not a distant challenge—it is a present urgency. As we gather for Clean Aviation’s Annual Forum 2025 under the theme of Mastering the Shift, one fact is clear—without bold government action and funding, the breakthrough technologies needed to meet the industry’s 2050 climate commitments risk being delayed beyond reach.

In 2022, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) established a global target for the aviation industry to achieve net-zero carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 2050 – this followed the airline industry itself committing to the same goal in 2021 through the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The recently published DESTINATION 2050 report outlines a pathway for reaching net-zero emissions in Europe, emphasizing that while Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) will play a significant role, the development of new propulsion technologies—such as hybrid-electric and hydrogen-powered aircraft—must also accelerate. Heart Aerospace is already addressing this need with the ES-30, a 30-seat hybrid-electric aircraft set to enter service by the end of the decade. However, for the industry to transition swiftly, innovation alone will not be enough. We also need policy alignment, investment, and infrastructure readiness.

The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) has shown that fuel efficiency gains in conventional aircraft have stagnated, and fleet renewal alone will not deliver the emissions reductions needed. Electrification represents the next leap forward, particularly in the regional aviation sector, where aircraft like the ES-30 can drastically cut emissions on short-haul routes. However, scaling up this revolution requires government-backed investment in battery technology, charging infrastructure, and certification processes.

While private capital is beginning to flow into clean aviation, public funding is essential to de-risk early-stage development and accelerate commercialization. However, compared to other sectors, aviation still lags in receiving targeted support for clean technology development. This must change if we are serious about our climate goals.

Programmes such as the Clean Aviation joint Undertaking are excellent flagships for driving innovation, both it and other initiatives, such as the EU Innovation Fund, need to be preserved into the future and with more public funding invested. But governments should consider going further, traditionally aviation has not been a recipient of state aid, but if the EU is to hits its decarbonisation goals and stay competitive with rapidly scaling regions that lean heavily on state support, such a China, then EU state aid rule must also be looked at.

The DESTINATION 2050 report estimates that achieving net-zero aviation in Europe will require €2.4 trillion in investment, with a significant share coming from next-generation aircraft technology. If we want Europe to be a Clean Tech champion and remain competitive against the U.S. and China – governments must provide consistent funding streams, policy certainty, and incentives for scaling production. More specifically, we need:

• Increased public funding for hybrid-electric aircraft R&D, including battery innovation and charging infrastructure.
• A dedicated Aviation Industrial Strategy developed alongside the Clean Industrial Deal to drive innovation while maintaining global competitiveness.
• Regulatory alignment to fast-track certification for new propulsion technologies, reducing barriers to market entry.

The technologies exist, the market is ready, and the urgency is undeniable. It is time for policymakers to step up and back the fast-tracking of clean aviation technologies. The 2050 net-zero target is not a vision—it is a commitment that demands action today.

By Anders Forslund, co-founder and CEO, Heart Aerospace