The Hindu Business Line : Aviation and Climate Change:Route to Copenhagen and beyond

Economic measures to address GHG emissions from aviation must be cost-effective and non-discriminatory; and implemented globally, on the basis of consensus.

Giovanni Bisignani

The Copenhagen process presents a unique opportunity for close cooperation between industry and government to address the climate change impact of aviation. As the positions towards climate change negotiations in Copenhagen (COP15) are unfolding, the airline industry is assuming its responsibility by making significant commitments to reduce emissions based on concrete targets and a strong track record. At the same time we are calling on governments to adopt a global and se ctoral approach to aviation emissions.

The industry has established a comprehensive and ambitious framework to lower its 2 per cent share of global manmade CO{-2} emissions.

At the IATA AGM in 2007, I presented a bold vision for the industry to build a carbon-free aircraft within 50 years. To support this vision, IATA adopted a four-pillar strategy, which promotes and drives efforts in four key areas: improved technology, effective operations, efficient infrastructure and positive economic measures.

Since its inception, efforts coordinated under the four-pillar strategy have delivered substantial emission reductions. In 2008, IATA’s efforts saved 15 million tonnes of CO{-2}. In 2009 we are forecasting a 6.5 per cent fall in emissions from 666 million tonnes in 2008 to 623 million tonnes. About 5 per cent of this is from cuts in capacity following the economic downturn but the remaining 2 per cent can be attributed to efficiencies achieved under the strategy.

Ambitious targets

At the 2009 AGM, the IATA board of governors took the landmark decision to adopt a set of ambitious targets to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from aviation:

A cap on aviation CO{-2} emissions from 2020 (carbon-neutral growth);

An average improvement in fuel efficiency of 1.5 per cent per year up to 2020; and

A reduction in CO{-2} emissions of 50 per cent by 2050, relative to 2005 levels. Carbon-neutral growth is an important milestone on the route towards a zero-carbon future for aviation.

It will ensure that aviation’s net CO{-2} emissions stop growing, even when demand for air transport continues to grow.

The achievement of such growth thus responsibly balances the contribution made by a sustainable, competitive and healthy aviation sector to the global economy with the urgent challenge of combating climate change.

Airlines constitute the first industry to make such a bold commitment at a global level. To achieve it, a multi-faceted approach is required with a strong commitment from all aviation stakeholders: airlines, manufacturers, fuel suppliers, airports, air navigation service providers and governments.

Global approach

We are calling on governments to adopt a global approach based on the following principles when they discuss the inclusion of aviation CO{-2} emissions in the broader Copenhagen framework:

Aviation CO{-2} emissions should be addressed through a global sectoral approach, accounting for emissions at a global level, not at regional or national level.

The industry should be held accountable (and pay) for its emissions just once, whether from international or domestic activities.

Aviation should have unrestricted access to carbon market instruments to meet its obligations, on a par with other sectors.

We are looking to governments to make the necessary investments to modernise air traffic management and improve airport infrastructure. They must establish legal and fiscal frameworks to facilitate and increase investment in new aircraft fleets and low-carbon sustainable alternative jet fuels.

Economic measures to address GHG emissions from aviation must be cost-effective and non-discriminatory; implemented globally, on the basis of consensus; and must not create ‘carbon leakage’ where emissions transfer between countries or carriers leads to market distortions.

Revenues from economic measures should be earmarked for environmental purposes, such as the development and deployment of more fuel-efficient aircraft and low-carbon jet fuels.

The next year will be critical for the aviation industry. Governments must abandon punitive measures that do little for the environment and agree to adopt strategies to reduce aviation emissions effectively.

(The author is Director-General and CEO, International Air Transport Association.)

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