Message Delivered At Annual General Meeting In Cancun, Mexico

ICAO Council President Dr. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu brought a clear and determined message to global airline CEOs during the organization's annual general meeting (AGM) concerning aviation’s Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation, or ‘CORSIA’.

“We should dispel any concerns that any recent developments on the Paris Agreement will negatively impact our shared planning for effective and globally aligned aviation emissions mitigation,” President Aliu underlined, “and I would urge you all to enthusiastically and promptly promote the CORSIA’s full implementation. This global agreement demonstrates not only concrete leadership and social responsibility on climate change, but also simple and sound economic sense for airlines all over the world.”

The statements came during the ICAO President’s keynote address to the International Air Transport Association’s Annual General Meeting, now ongoing in Cancun, Mexico. Last October, world governments endorsed the CORSIA at ICAO’s 39th Assembly, with countries representing over 80% of international flight operations volunteering to participate as early as its pilot phase in 2021.

“Since that time, Saudi Arabia, Gabon, El Salvador and most recently Nigeria have also signalled their intention to join, meaning that some 90% of international operations will be covered by the CORSIA when it launches,” President Aliu stressed.

Since the agreement forged at its Assembly last October, ICAO has been working to ensure the timely implementation of CORSIA, including the definition of its Emissions Unit Criteria, Monitoring Reporting and Verification (MRV), and the Registry framework which will be needed.

Once it launches, the CORSIA offsetting results will complement the other main emissions reduction measures being pursued by governments and the air transport sector through ICAO. These are presently focused on accelerated tech innovations, streamlined operations to decrease fuel burn and noise, and the development and deployment of sustainable alternative jet fuels.

(Image provided with ICAO news release)

FMI: www.icao.int