IATA urges governments to help aviation go green
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The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has issued an open letter calling on governments to help the aviation industry reduce its carbon footprint.
The letter was organised by the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG), which represents airlines, airports and other aerospace companies, and co-signed by IATA, and reaffirmed the industry’s ambitious commitment to achieving carbon-neutral growth from 2020 and halving its carbon emissions by 2050. These are two of the long-standing pledges of IATA’s “four-pillar” environmental strategy.
The letter also called for a global market-based measure (MBM), based on carbon offsetting, to help the industry manage its carbon footprint.
“A global offsetting scheme would be our preferred MBM. Offsetting is important because it is a legitimate means for the industry to achieve carbon neutral growth. It makes sense for aviation, while it continues to take every step it can for itself, to encourage reductions in other business sectors where the scope for emissions cuts is greater,” said Tony Tyler, IATA’s director general & CEO.
The roll-out of a new MBM for aviation is currently in the hands of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the global aviation body. But for a resolution to be passed, it needs the support of the world’s governments.
“We have only 12 months to go before ICAO makes its decision on that MBM. In the hands of 190 states will be the power to make aviation’s carbon-neutral growth goal a reality. It is no exaggeration to say that the eyes of the world will be on them. And the industry is committed to supporting their success,” said Tyler.
IATA’s director general concluded with a personal vision on the importance of aviation to delivering a more sustainable world, urging delegates that “to save the earth, take to the air.”
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