21 September 2015
ICAO Seminar Focuses on Partnerships for Emissions Reductions in Aviation
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The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) hosted a 'Multiplying Environmental Action Seminar' as part of its Global Aviation Partnerships on Emissions Reductions (E-GAP) initiative.

The seminar shared actions related to aircraft technology, recycling of aircraft, next generation air navigation and green operations, sustainable alternative fuels and renewable energy, financing for aviation environmental activities, and carbon markets, with a view to sparking further action and creating a multiplier effect.

Icao17 September 2015: The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) hosted a ‘Multiplying Environmental Action Seminar’ as part of its Global Aviation Partnerships on Emissions Reductions (E-GAP) initiative. The seminar shared actions related to aircraft technology, recycling of aircraft, next generation air navigation and green operations, sustainable alternative fuels and renewable energy, financing for aviation environmental activities, and carbon markets, with a view to sparking further action and creating a multiplier effect.

In her opening remarks to the seminar, ICAO Secretary-General Fang Liu explained that the Seminar had been aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) wherever possible, noting that today’s actions must be designed to ensure that “future generations can continue to enjoy the wide-ranging benefits of air transport tomorrow on an environmentally sustainable basis.”

In a keynote address, delivered via video, Braulio Ferreira de Souza Dias, Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Executive Secretary, touched on the work being carried out under the CBD relevant to the seminar, and the role of partnerships in unlocking opportunities. Dias illustrated how the aviation industry affects biodiversity and vice versa, and how efforts to preserve biological resources must be bolstered through partnerships with business.

A second keynote, delivered by Roberto Kobeh González, Lifetime Goodwill Ambassador of ICAO, further addressed multiplying action on the environment through partnerships. Emphasizing that all States want to act to protect the environment, but not all have the means, he said that question is not “If? or Shall we?” but rather “How? How much? and When?” He called for acting now, suggested using the emissions gap and international aviation’s contributions to emissions, as well as quantified opportunities in efficiency and alternative fuels, to determine how much, and, in terms of how, stressed partnerships and capacity building.

Following the keynotes, the seminar was organized into seven sessions, each featuring a moderated discussion with panelists representing intergovernmental organizations, national governments, multilateral development banks (MDBs), airlines and plane manufacturers from the private sector, airports and non-profit organizations.

The panels covered: partnerships to advance the scientific understanding of aviation and climate; partnerships in design and technology throughout the aircraft life-cycle; operational improvements and eco-airports; partnerships to develop sustainable alternative fuels for aviation; carbon markets; facilitating financing for aviation sustainable environmental initiatives; and “No country left behind” – States’ action plans and capacity building.

The seminar was held in Montréal, Canada, from 16-17 September 2015. [Seminar Website] [Seminar Programme] [ICAO Secretary-General Remarks] [CBD Executive Secretary Video Address] [ICAO Lifetime Goodwill Ambassador Remarks]


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