IATA tells Europe to avoid ETS “chaos”
The International Air Travel Association (IATA) has told Europe it needs defuse tensions over its controversial Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) to avoid the “chaos” of a trade war.
Speaking at the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) in Strasbourg, IATA’s Director-General & CEO Tony Tyler tried to reassure European authorities that the aviation industry is taking measures to manage its own emissions, and that unilateral steps like the ETS are undermining global efforts.
“Deviations from global standards or a global approach hinder the industry. And in the case of our efforts to manage aviation’s climate change impact, Europe’s go-it-alone, unilateral and extra-territorial approach to market-based measures is triggering a trade war – a war that Europe cannot afford, and from which no one can emerge victorious,” Tyler said.
“European jobs are at risk and European competitiveness is being undermined at a time when the economy needs all the help it can get to put itself back on the path to recovery.”
Tyler went on to highlight the industry’s commitment to a 1.5% annual improvement in fuel efficiency to 2020, to cap net emissions from 2020 with carbon-neutral growth, and to cut net emissions in half by 2050 compared to 2005 levels.
“This is a responsible industry. And we are on track to meeting our ambitious targets,” Tyler said. “But we are also a highly regulated industry, so government alignment and support of these goals is crucial.”
He reiterated IATA’s call to find a global framework for market-based emissions measures through the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and urged European leaders to take steps to defuse the current conflict, especially with China, which is not complying with the ETS and has ordered its airlines to withhold orders for wide-body Airbus jets.
“The latter has reached a critical stage and Europe needs to do something to defuse the currently very tense situation. It is not for me to suggest what. I am sure that many of you have clear ideas,” said Tyler. “But my reading of the international situation is that non-European states feel as if they are being forced to negotiate a deal on market-based measures with a gun to their head. Addressing climate change should unite the world, not divide it. So I will repeat my call for Europe to find an unequivocal means to demonstrate that it is a sincere participant in the ICAO process. Only this will clear the way for a global agreement on market-based measures.
“Only an agreement… will save us from the chaos that would result from the failure to implement a global approach,” he concluded.