Carbon Performance assessment of airlines methodology note - version 5.0

The Carbon Performance assessment of airlines methodology note - version 5.0 outlines how global airline companies are evaluated against international climate targets, including the Paris Agreement. The methodology benchmarks airlines’ carbon emissions intensity against sector-specific low-carbon aviation pathways, helping investors assess how the industry is progressing toward decarbonisation.

Using the Sectoral Decarbonisation Approach (SDA), the framework converts global emissions reduction goals into aviation-specific benchmarks. It measures airlines’ CO₂ emissions from jet fuel combustion relative to activity metrics such as revenue tonne kilometres (RTK) and compares company performance with international pledges, below-2°C, and 1.5°C climate scenarios derived from modelling by organisations such as the International Energy Agency (IEA) and ICAO.

The methodology underpins TPI’s annual airline Carbon Performance assessments, published through its open-access online tool, enabling investors and stakeholders to track airline alignment with the global low-carbon transition.

This 2024 methodology note represents the most recent iteration of TPI’s Carbon Performance framework for the airlines sector.