Issue Will Be Discussed At Upcoming IACO Assembly Later This Month

One of the largest trade groups representing the U.S. airline industry says it is "hopeful" that progress can be made on emissions rules for airlines at the upcoming ICAO assembly, planned for later this month in Canada.

Speaking at an eco-aviation conference in Washington, D.C., A4A vice president for environmental affairs Nancy Young said that while "difficult negotiations" will be undertaken at the ICAO assembly, the pieces are in place for incremental progress on the issue.

Air Transport World reports that Young outlined some of the progress that has already been made, including the ICAO's 2003 guidance on voluntary agreements the body's resolution in 2010 which set a goal of achieving "carbon-neutral" growth beginning in 2020.

But, she also said that airlines in the U.S. are disproportionately saddled with the burden of reducing greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere. She said that the U.S. airline industry accounts for only 2 percent of U.S. emissions, but contributes five percent to the country’s GDP. She said the concerted efforts of governments are needed to compliment the efforts of the airline industry.

Young praised efforts on the part of the EU to limit the scope of its Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) to only to the portions of flights occurring in European airspace, and the delay in its implementation for non-EU-flagged carriers, allowing the ICAO time to work on a global emissions program that would be more acceptable to the international community.

Meanwhile Bloomberg News reports that the EU member states have not been able to reach a decision about when to begin discussions on draft legislation that would increase the price of carbon emissions in its ETS. The member nations remain divided on the proposal.

FMI: www.airlines.org