Yvonne Moynihan, a Corporate and ESG Officer at Wizz Air Group, welcomed the COP29 agenda and its emphasis on fostering collaboration to address global climate challenges in a statement to Report.
According to Moynihan, aviation, as one of the hardest sectors to decarbonize, must be a focal point of these discussions. “The integration of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and other innovations into broader climate strategies was especially relevant. However, we would have liked to see even more actionable frameworks that address the low availability and high cost of SAF, which remains a critical bottleneck for our industry.”
“During COP29, we had several meaningful discussions with stakeholders, including policymakers, SAF producers, and representatives from international organizations like ICAO and IATA. These conversations revolved around accelerating SAF production, scaling innovative fuel technologies, and fostering regulatory frameworks that facilitate the transition to net-zero aviation. Collaborative efforts such as the global SAF registry were key points of discussion, as we believe transparency and inclusivity are crucial to ensuring that all players in the aviation industry can access carbon credits and sustainable energy solutions,” she said.
According to Moynihan, as one of Europe’s leading low-cost airlines, Wizz Air recognizes the critical role it plays in driving sustainability in aviation: “Wizz Air was one of the very few airlines participating in COP29 and felt it was our responsibility to represent the industry's challenges and push for decisive actions. While aviation contributes to just 2-3% of global emissions, it’s a visible and growing sector that demands urgent solutions. We wanted to emphasize the pressing need for increased SAF availability—current production needs to scale 1,000 times by 2050. Moreover, we advocated for innovative uses of degraded lands and underutilized resources to produce SAF. Wizz Air is committed to being a vocal advocate for the industry's decarbonization and ensuring aviation contributes meaningfully to global net-zero targets.”
Noting that COP29 provided an excellent platform for dialogue, Moynihan said some gaps remain in aligning global efforts with the pace of change required in aviation. “We’re encouraged by initiatives like the global SAF registry, which will increase transparency and facilitate carbon credit access. However, we need more decisive policy actions—such as redirecting oil subsidies toward renewable energy—to support the transition away from fossil fuels. We hope that these discussions translate into tangible outcomes, and we remain committed to collaborating with policymakers and industry leaders to drive progress.”