6 October 2015
Sustainable Aviation Summit Calls for Endorsement of Global Offsetting Scheme
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The Eighth Global Sustainable Aviation Summit has called on governments to: undertake “robust and determined” climate action; and to endorse at the 39th International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Assembly, a simple, global offsetting scheme to stabilize air transport carbon emissions growth.

The Summit considered the role of the aviation industry and air transport in reducing illegal trade in wildlife.

2015-global-sustainable-aviation-summit30 September 2015: The Eighth Global Sustainable Aviation Summit has called on governments to undertake “robust and determined” climate action and to endorse, at the 39th International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Assembly, a simple, global offsetting scheme to stabilize air transport carbon emissions growth.

The Summit, which took place from 29-30 September 2015 in Geneva, Switzerland, was organized by the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG) in partnership with Airports Council International (ACI), the Civil Air Navigation Services Organization (CANSO), the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and the International Coordinating Council of Aerospace Industries Association (ICCAIA).

The Summit focused on ways to deliver sustainable air transport, and considered the three goals set by the aviation industry to: improve fleet fuel efficiency by 1.5% per year until 2020; cap net carbon emissions in the industry by 2020; and reduce net carbon footprint by 50% relative to 2005 levels by 2050, referred to as the “industry 2050 goal”. Speaking at the Summit, Michael Gill, Executive Director, ATAG, noted that the industry has exceeded the first goal by achieving 2.9% annual fuel efficiency improvements. He also provided an overview of aviation within the climate change discourse, and presented ATAG’s “Aviation Climate Solutions,” a collection of innovations and case studies from different sectors of the aviation industry.

During the Summit, presenters highlighted examples from these solutions, from both the aviation and manufacturing perspectives, including: implementing green taxi fleets; reusing cooking oil from airport restaurants as alternative fuels for ground vehicles; electric taxiing; and the Single European Sky Air Traffic Management Research Program (SESAR). Panellists also provided examples of initiatives being undertaken by their organizations, demonstrating their efforts to achieve sustainability.

Discussions during the Summit focused in particular on the “industry 2050 goal,” and participants considered, among other things, the role of technology and of alternative fuels such as biofuel in achieving this goal. On the role of technology, panellists presented on possible technological changes or innovations that can contribute to the achievement of the goal, and discussed, for instance, whether aircraft lifespans should be reduced so as to stimulate innovation by enabling more frequent entry of newer models into the market.

In addition, the Summit considered the role of the aviation industry and air transport in reducing illegal trade in wildlife, such as through adopting a zero tolerance policy on products from illegally traded wildlife and raising awareness of passenger and staff on the issue. The Summit also saw the launch of the “Managing the impact of aviation noise” guide by CANSO and ACI. [IISD RS Coverage] [Meeting Website]


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