ACI and 27 key aviation stakeholders call for maximum CO2 emissions reductions

Airports Council International (ACI) World and a group of 27 other aviation industry chief executive officers and association leaders have today sent an open letter to governments committing to climate action and calling for a joint approach to help deliver maximum CO2 emissions reductions in the aviation sector. In particular, the industry group urged action to approve a meaningful market-based measure for aviation emissions, expected to be agreed by governments at a meeting of the United Nations specialized aviation agency in one year’s time.

Michael Gill, Executive Director of the cross-industry coalition Air Transport Action Group (ATAG), which coordinated the letter, said: “This is an influential set of business leaders adding their voice to those supporting climate action in the lead-up to the COP21 negotiations in Paris and one year ahead of aviation’s own climate deadline—the 39th ICAO Assembly. We are urging governments to back industry and civil society efforts to deliver this market-based measure.

“Since we set the goals, the aviation sector has been actively undertaking fuel efficiency projects through the deployment of over a trillion dollars of new technology, improved operational procedures and moving towards more advanced infrastructure. However, government regulation and national political environments prevent us from fully influencing our own future. Today’s letter urges government action in five key areas to complement the significant action already taking place within the industry.”

The letter says that to maximize already impressive aviation action, “government support must take place through a range of actions: air traffic management investment and reform; continued support for research into new technology, operations and sustainable alternative fuels; improved intermodal transport planning; the right policy framework to help accelerate the availability of sustainable alternative fuels for airlines; and to agree at the 39th ICAO Assembly to both the implementation of a simple, global offsetting scheme which will stabilize air transport carbon emissions growth and to endorse an historic global CO2 standard for new aircraft. To delay will harm a vital global sector and harm our global climate.”

“The aviation industry’s goals for CO2 emissions reduction are ambitious but achievable with the right government support,” noted Angela Gittens, Director General, ACI World. “For airports’ part, we are diligently working towards a more environmentally sustainable future for the industry. ACI’s Airport Carbon Accreditation programme, which late last year went global and now has 128 airport participants worldwide, is perhaps the best example of our united commitment on this front.

The open letter, 60 days before the crucial COP21 climate talks in Paris, was signed by the chief executives of all the world’s major aircraft and engine manufacturers and leaders of associations representing over 90% of airline traffic, and 1,850 airports and air traffic management organizations supporting 85% of traffic.