The FINANCIAL — Geneva – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) joined air transport businesses and associations to reaffirm its commitment to a sustainable future as the aviation industry marked ten years since agreeing an ambitious joint strategy for reducing carbon emissions.
In 2008, as airlines reeled from the financial crisis, and oil prices were at historic highs, aviation leaders from the airline, airport, air navigation and aviation manufacturing sectors signed a Declaration, committing to a four-pillar plan for carbon reduction:
Investment in new technology (including sustainable aviation fuels)
Continuous operational improvements
Better use of infrastructure
A single global market-based measure
In the decade since, aviation has turned the Declaration into solid progress. Flying is 20% more fuel efficient. Sustainable aviation fuels have proven that they are effective. And a historic agreement reached at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Assembly in 2016 —the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) — will facilitate carbon-neutral growth from 2020.
The immediate priority on the aviation sustainability agenda is to successfully implement CORSIA as the single global market-based measure. “Persuading more states to volunteer for CORSIA is important. In tandem, we are working with governments to prevent actions that undermine the agreement, such as the unilateral implementation of environmental taxes. The ICAO Assembly next year provides an opportunity for governments to reaffirm CORSIA as the single global measure for aviation climate mitigation. It’s a top priority for CORSIA to be effective,” said de Juniac.
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