Governments of 193 countries embrace 2050 zero emissions target

The world has finally agreed on a long-term plan to reduce carbon emissions from flights, despite Chinese and Russian complaints.

• Global agreement on aviation decarbonisation has closed the 41st ICAO Assembly, meeting in Montreal
• ICAO’s 193 member countries have adopted the goal of net zero emissions by 2050, despite complaints from China and Russia
• Airports and airlines have welcomed the deal, although environmentalists consider it weak and non-binding

The 193 member countries of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), meeting at its 41st Assembly in Montreal, have adopted on Friday the goal of net zero emissions by 2050, despite complaints from China and Russia. The goal aligns international aviation with the Paris Agreement and follows an industry commitment last year. It has been very well received by airports and airlines. Not so much by environmental groups that label it as weak and not legally binding.

“Representatives of ICAO’s 193 member states have just reached a historic agreement on an ambitious long-term collective goal – Aspirational Long-Term Goal (LTAG) – of carbon neutrality by 2050,” ICAO posted in a tweet. However, environmental groups say the deal is weak and not legally binding.

When the world gathered in Paris in 2015 to agree on a long-term plan to tackle climate change, two key industries were missing: aviation and shipping.

Compensation system

During the assembly, ICAO agreed that airlines will use the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA).

Under the scheme, airlines will agree on a base year and all future emissions above that period’s level would have to be offset.

After discussions in Montreal, the threshold has been set at 85% of 2019 carbon emissions, allowing for a higher level of carbon dioxide pollution before airlines must buy offsets.

Airlines and airports

“Now that governments and industry are focused on net zero by 2050, we expect much stronger policy initiatives in key areas of decarbonisation, such as incentivising sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production capacity. And the global determination to decarbonise aviation that underpins this agreement must follow delegates and lead to practical policy actions that enable all states to support the industry in the rapid progress it is determined to achieve,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

Meanwhile, Luis Felipe de Oliveira, Director General of the General Council of Airports (ACI World), said that the agreement is the starting point to accelerate collaboration between industry and governments. “We now need regulators to support the work of airports to develop and implement their decarbonisation action plans, as well as support greater collaboration between all stakeholders to increase the availability of renewable energy, finance, new technologies, to support capacity building and address operational issues and infrastructure adaptations.”

European aviation

The five main European aviation associations – Airports Council International Europe (ACI Europe), Airlines for Europe (A4E), Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO), Association of Airlines of the European Regions (ERA) and Association of Aerospace and Defence Industries of Europe (ASD Europe) – grouped under the Destination 2050 initiative, expressed their full support for the ICAO Assembly agreement.

Through Destination 2050, the European aviation industry was the first in the world to commit to a net zero emissions target for all departing flights. They also call for political support for its four pillars: aircraft and engine technologies, air traffic management and aircraft operations, sustainable aviation fuels and smart economic measures.

Source: Hosteltur