“Air transport is a global industry with a good track record and ambitious targets for environmental performance. But to achieve them, we need governments to take a global approach,†Bisignani said.
Bisignani called on governments to define a sectoral approach in Kyoto 2 with global accounting for aviation’s emissions through the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and open access for airlines to properly regulated carbon markets.
Such an approach would maintain a level playing field for all airlines and replace overlapping national and regional schemes, he said.
IATA has set three ambitious industry targets for reducing emissions: A 25 per cent improvement in fuel efficiency by 2020 compared to 2005; to use 10 per cent alternative fuels by 2017; and a 50 per cent absolute reduction in emissions by 2050.
“We are already working to set an important fourth target; a date for carbon-neutral growth beyond which our emissions will not grow even as demand increases,†said Bisignani.
He also repeated an outlook made in March when he said the airline industry’s carbon emissions would drop eight per cent this year. A significant portion of that – around six per cent – will result from airlines cutting the number of flights amid a drop in cargo and passenger demand.
The remaining two per cent is directly related to IATA’s four-pillar strategy, according to the IATA chief.
This includes an improvement in fuel efficiency by 70 per cent over the past forty years, including a 23 per cent improvement in the last decade alone largely as a result of better aircraft and engines.
Other facets of the strategy include more efficient flight operations; shorter routes; and the introduction of carbon offset programmes, currently implemented by nearly 30 carriers.
Bisignani also noted the rapid progress being made on the development and testing of biofuels. “One of the most exciting recent developments is the progress being made in sustainable next generation biofuels,†said Bisignani who noted that alternative fuels have the potential to reduce the industry’s carbon footprint by up to 80 per cent.
“Three years ago nobody thought biofuels could be applied to aviation. Four successful test flights in the last year prove that biofuels work. For the first time aviation could have a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. Airlines did this work without government involvement. But we could achieve much more, much faster, with a fiscal and legal framework to accelerate research and reward investment. Governments must get on board,†Bisignani said.
“Working with governments, a united industry – airlines, airports, manufacturer and air navigation service providers – made air transport the safest way to travel. By working together with a coordinated global approach we can make aviation the first global industry to achieve carbon-neutral growth and a model for others to follow,†urged Bisignani.
