The hard work begins

After six years of often torturous negotiations, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has agreed to a framework to reduce carbon emissions from aviation. The pact marked the first time a global industry had voluntarily committed to reducing its emissions. But not every country is on board – for now.

by CHIEF CORRESPONDENT, TOM BALLANTYNE  

November 1st 2016

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When representatives of the world’s aviation regulators, airlines and other interested parties gathered in Montreal in late September for the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s triennial Assembly, they expected the world’s first carbon offsetting scheme for the industry would be approved. Read More » It was but with caveats.

One hundred and ninety one states ratified the Carbon Offset and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), but only 68 of them committed to the initial, voluntary stage of the scheme.

Opting out, for the time being, is India, presently the world’s fastest growing aviation market. Vietnam, the Philippines, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar also are waiting and seeing. Major dissenter, Russia, told the ICAO Assembly the agreed emissions cap, to apply from 2020, was “unrealistic” and that it was not ready to join the framework.

First in the Asia-Pacific to participate in the voluntary initial phase are China, Indonesia, Singapore, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Korea, Australia, Thailand, Papua New Guinea and the Marshal Islands. Ultimately, India will have to join the mandatory scheme, which will cost airlines as much as $23.9 billion annually by 2035.

India’s decision was disappointing, but not unexpected. New Delhi believes, as do some fellow developing nations, that the scheme will disadvantage the nation’s economy.

India’s decision was announced only days after it had ratified the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. It said capping emissions from aviation from 2020 would be “an injustice” to the country’s growing economy. It wants to remain outside the mechanism for the next few years.

Like India, several developing countries believe the market-based taxation regime would impose an inappropriate economic burden on them.

India’s position was approved at a cabinet meeting chaired by the country’s prime minister, Narendra Modi.

“There is an attempt to bring a cap on emissions in civil aviation by 2020. We have said that for the developing world the proposal is unfair. When the economy is growing, you cannot cap our emissions from aviation. A cap by 2020 will be injustice,” said India’s Minister for Human Resources, Prakash Javadekar.

Airlines regard CORSIA as a huge victory for the industry. It removes the threat of a patchwork of regional environmental regulations and taxes that were forecast to be even more costly than the ICAO scheme.

CORSIA only covers international flights and rather than enforcing emissions reductions, it allows airlines to increase pollution in exchange for buying credits that support renewable energy development, forest preservation and other environmental endeavours. Under CORSIA, the cost per flight for emissions will be low enough not to impact airfares.

Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) director general, Andrew Herdman, who was a member of the aviation cross-industry delegation at the ICAO Assembly, said it was a landmark agreement.

“We commend the 68 States who demonstrated leadership with their commitment to the voluntary stage of CORSIA. We look to other States to follow this lead and declare their voluntary participation in the CORSIA,” he said.

The AAPA has been actively involved in developing the industry strategy on environmental sustainability, Herdman said, and added that “although a great deal of work has gone into achieving this outcome, challenges lie ahead to ensure the scheme is implemented effectively.

ICAO secretary-general, China’s Fang Liu, said CORSIA was a “balanced, pragmatic and a very positive development”.

Environmentalists, however, had a lukewarm response to the agreement. “We are far from the finish line in curbing carbon pollution from international aviation,” said Lou Leonard of the World Wildlife Fund. “But this is the starting block. It’s a foundation we must build on over time,” he said.

Greenpeace UK chief scientist, Doug Parr, said: “This agreement is a timid step in the right direction when we need to be sprinting. For years, the aviation industry has managed to get away with doing nothing about its growing carbon emission problem. Now it is giving itself even more years to do very little.’’

International Air Transport Association (IATA) director general and CEO, Alexandre de Juniac, said the historic significance of the agreement cannot be overestimated. “CORSIA is the first global scheme covering an entire industrial sector. The CORSIA agreement has turned years of preparation into an effective solution for airlines to manage their carbon footprint,” he said.

“This agreement ensures the aviation industry’s economic and social contributions are matched with cutting-edge efforts on sustainability.”

By itself, de Juniac said, CORSIA would not lead to a sustainable future for aviation. “The industry will continue to drive its four pillar strategy on climate change: improvements in technology, operations and infrastructure complemented by CORSIA. It also will ask governments to support commercialization of sustainable alternative fuels for aviation,” he said.

Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO) director general, Jeff Poole, said CANSO would continue to focus on pillars two and three of the industry’s climate change strategy: more efficient aircraft operations and upgraded infrastructure.

Pillar two aimed to reduce emissions with air traffic management solutions that allow aircraft to fly shorter, optimum routes and take off and land with smoother trajectories. Pillar three is focused on industry and government efforts to increase capacity and reduce delays with better airport facilities and their associated services.

Executive Director of the cross-industry Air Transport Action Group (ATAG), Michael Gill, said: “What was a visionary approach seven years ago has become a reality.” Angela Gittens, director general of Airports Council International (ACI) World, said: “This historic climate agreement follows an ACI Resolution supporting CORSIA and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between ACI and ICAO for enhanced cooperation on environmental related initiatives.”

Aircraft manufacturers Boeing, Airbus and Embraer, all producing new generation, more fuel efficient aircraft, welcomed CORSIA and pledged their commitment to build more environmentally friendly airliners.