The heads of the world’s regional airline associations today issued a statement reaffirming their commitment to the industry-wide global sectoral approach to aviation and climate change.

The associations are supporting the efforts of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Air Transport Action Group (ATAG) to push for a strong International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) commitment at the ICAO General Assembly in September.

“We reaffirm our commitment to the industry-wide effort to reduce aviation’s climate change impact through three targets: A 1.5 per cent improvement in fuel efficiency annually from 2010; a cap on net carbon emissions from 2020 through carbon-neutral growth; and a 50 per cent reduction in carbon emissions by 2050, compared with 2005 levels.

“These targets remain the most appropriate tools for addressing aviation’s carbon emissions while allowing sustainable growth, which recognises the industry’s vital contribution to economic and social development around the world.

“We urge the member states of ICAO at their upcoming triennial assembly to confirm and support ICAO’s position as the most appropriate forum for addressing aviation emissions issues.

The associations say it is essential that the ICAO member states agree to a global framework for aviation, to be implemented by ICAO, for inclusion in discussions at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change COP16 in December.

“The industry has a plan for reducing emissions. It is appropriate, it is ambitious and it will allow us to continue to grow responsibly while keeping climate change in check. The aviation sector has shown unprecedented support for a single, united vision to reduce emissions.

“We are taking action to meet our targets. The world’s governments must now take up the challenge by moving forward with emissions-savings initiatives under their control, such as air traffic control modernisation and in adopting a truly global approach to aviation and climate change through their representation at ICAO.”

The statement was jointly issued by: the Arab Air Carriers Organisation (AACO); the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA); the Association of European Airlines (AEA); the Latin American and Caribbean Airline Association (ALTA); the Air Transport Association of America (ATA); the European Regions Airline Association (ERA).