Thursday 28 March 2024
 
»
 
»
Story

Icao achieves 1st climate change accord

Montreal, October 9, 2010

The 190 contracting states of the International Civil Aviation Organization (Icao) have achieved the first global governmental agreement with goals to stabilize carbon emissions.
The achievement was formalized in a resolution of the 37th Icao Assembly, which concluded its deliberations in Montreal today (October 9).

“Governments have taken an historic decision. For the first time, we have globally agreed aspirational goals to stabilize emissions,” said Giovanni Bisignani, director general and CEO of the International Air Transport Association (Iata).

“No other industry sector has a similar globally agreed framework for managing its response to climate change in a manner that takes into consideration the needs of both developed and developing states. Moreover, it recognizes the need for governments and industry to work together. This is a good first step that prepares the way for future achievements,” he added.

The Icao Resolution

The Icao resolution calls for improving fuel efficiency by 2 per cent annually to 2050; striving to achieve a collective medium-term aspirational goal of capping aviation’s carbon emissions from 2020 and creating a global CO2 standard for aircraft engines with a target date of 2013.

The Icao resolution also calls for the development of a global framework on market based (economic) measures by the 38th Assembly (2013) based on 15 agreed principles. These principles are designed to minimize market distortions, safeguard the fair treatment of aviation relative to other sectors, ensure that aviation’s emissions are accounted for only once and recognize both past and future efforts of carriers.

“The four-pillar strategy and targets are not just airline commitments. The entire aviation industry—airlines, airports, air navigation service providers and manufacturers—have made a common commitment that UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon commended as a role model for others to follow. Aviation takes its environmental responsibility seriously. With today’s agreement, governments have taken a significant step in support of the industry’s ambitions,” said Bisignani.

Bisignani addressed the gap in the industry’s commitment to a 1.5 per cent average annual improvement in fuel efficiency and the Icao goal of a 2 per cent annual improvement.

“We are confident that achieving a 1.5 per cent average annual improvement in fuel efficiency is possible with efforts of the industry. The 2 per cent Icao goal means that governments must come to the table with much needed infrastructure improvements such as the Single European Sky or NextGen in the US,” said Bisignani. – TradeArabia News Service




Tags: Iata | climate change | ICAO | carbon emission | Montreal | Global agreement |

More Travel, Tourism & Hospitality Stories

calendarCalendar of Events

Ads