ICCAIA Continues To Call For Strong Partnership Between Governments And Industry

The International Coordinating Council of Aerospace Industries Associations (ICCAIA) said in a statement Monday that it welcomed the agreement reached at the 37th Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization, which marks decisive progress towards a global plan to address CO2 emissions from aviation. ICCAIA also called on governments to work in partnership with industry to ensure that the sector's ambitious environmental goals can be achieved.

"The agreement reached at the ICAO 37th Assembly is a significant step forward taken by governments," said AeroSpace and Defense Industries Association of Europe Secretary-General Francois Gayet, who chairs ICCAIA. "The aviation industry has already committed to very ambitious goals to reduce its carbon emissions: 1.5% annual improvement in CO2 efficiency to 2020; carbon-neutral growth from 2020; and a 50% reduction of net CO2 emissions by 2050 compared to 2005 levels. We're glad to see that governments have now expressed support for our ambitions."

The resolution adopted at the end of the ICAO 37th Assembly is the first global governmental agreement which includes aspirational goals to stabilize carbon emissions from aviation. It calls for:

• 2% annual fuel efficiency improvements.
• Carbon neutral growth from 2020.
• A CO2 standard for aircraft engines with a target date of 2013.

In the resolution, governments also commit to looking at even more ambitious goals for the longer term.

Gayet further noted that the agreement emphasized the need for governments and industry to work together. "This is indeed crucial, he said, as climate change is a major issue which cannot be tackled either by industry or regulation alone. Industry and governments absolutely need to work hand-in-hand to prepare the sustainable future of aviation."

"The aerospace manufacturing industry is committed to stepping up its efforts to deliver the breakthrough technologies which will further reduce the environmental impact of air transport," Gayet continued. "We call on governments to raise their level of support for research and development for new greener technologies. We also urge them to facilitate the deployment of more efficient air traffic management systems, such as SESAR in Europe and NextGen in the U.S. Finally, we believe governments also have a key role to play to prepare the ground for the widespread use of aviation biofuels."

"Industry will continue to work with ICAO to further develop and implement the elements of this resolution," added AIA President and CEO Marion C. Blakey. "Together with airlines, airports and air navigation service providers, we remain united and committed to our ambitious goals."

Established in 1972, ICCAIA represents the aircraft manufacturing associations from Brazil, Canada, Europe, Japan and the United States.

FMI: www.iccaia.org