The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a UN agency, has gathered more than 2,000 government officials from around the world at its Montreal headquarters to adopt the first ever international mechanism to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from aviation.
The UN negotiation is inching towards a landmark deal to curb emissions from airplanes, although environmental groups have warned that the plan will not go far enough to help slow climate change.
A market-based scheme has been proposed at the triennial meeting whereby emissions from aviation will be measured from a baseline to be set in 2020. Emissions that exceed this level will then have to be offset by all countries, with exceptions for developing nations, unless they choose to volunteer.
According to The Guardian, 36 countries have so far pledged to join the scheme from the onset, including the US, China, Japan, Paris and Canada. The European Union has also voiced its support. A draft text has been put forward with a final version of the deal expected to be decided upon next week.
Global aviation currently moves 10 million passengers around every day, pumping out enough emissions to contribute 1.3% to the overall total of greenhouse gasses emitted from all sources, including power generation and agriculture. Aviation’s emissions share is expected to leap to 22% by 2050, placing growing pressure on the sector to help the world avoid further global warming.
“Global aviation needs to step up and agree to a plan that matches the demands of science,” said Lou Leonard, interim deputy leader for WWF’s climate and energy practice.
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