Member states have approved a declaration affirming their commitment to addressing the issue of aviation emissions through ICAO, the organisation announced on October 9.
A three day high level meeting convened by ICAO on climate change reached agreement on the way governments working together with the industry intend to reduce aviation’s climate impact. Included in the declaration is a commitment from member states to achieving a global annual average fuel efficiency improvement of two per cent to 2020, followed by an aspirational goal of a further average annual two per cent improvement from 2021 to 2050. The document also notes that ICAO and member states should consider more ambitious goals for the next ICAO Assembly in 2010, and statements encouraging the development and use of sustainable biofuels.
ICAO says that the declaration will form the basis for input by ICAO to discussions on international aviation at the upcoming 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Copenhagen.
IATA director general and CEO Giovanni Bisignani welcomed the declaration, noting that the industry has already set much higher targets for carbon reduction. “Industry is targeting net carbon emission reductions, while government discussions are focused on efficiency improvements,” he said. “It is ironic that industry is setting tougher targets for itself than its regulators are prepared to require. But, our common goal is to effectively address climate change. That means reducing emissions. The challenge is to work together to close this gap by the next ICAO Assembly in September 2010.”
