The UN’s International Civil Aviation Authority has announced progress on its new CO2 Emissions Standard on Monday. FAA Administrator Michael Huerta commended the agency on its progress.
The new environmental measure was unanimously recommended by a panel of 170 international experts on ICAO’S Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP), bringing it one step closer to adoption by UN agency’s 36-State Governing Council.
“It is particularly encouraging that the CAEP’s recommendation today responds so directly to the aircraft technology improvements which States have forged consensus on at recent ICAO Assemblies,” highlighted Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, President of the ICAO Council. “Every step taken in support of ICAO’s full basket of measures for environmental improvement is an important one, and I am sure the Council will be deeply appreciative of the this latest CAEP achievement.”
“The goal of this process is ultimately to ensure that when the next generation of aircraft types enter service, there will be guaranteed reductions in international CO2 emissions,” President Aliu stressed. “Our sector presently accounts for under two percent of the world’s annual CO2 emissions, but we also recognize that the projected doubling of global passengers and flights by 2030 must be managed responsibly and sustainably.”
FAA Expresses Support
“I am pleased that ICAO reached an international consensus on a meaningful standard to foster reduction in CO2 emissions from aircraft. We are encouraged by this success and believe it puts us on a promising path to secure a robust market-based measure later this year. This is another example of the administration’s deep commitment to working with the international community on policies that will reduce harmful carbon pollution worldwide.”
The Federal Aviation administration points to U.S. progress “in all areas of ICAO’s agreed-upon ‘basket of measures’ to address aviation greenhouse gas emissions.”
Examples include developments in new airframe and engine technologies, aircraft operational improvements, and new sustainable, alternative fuels to which both Boeing and its international suppliers have made great contributions .
“Through our Continuous Lower Energy Emissions and Noise (CLEEN) Program, we work closely with industry on accelerating the maturation of new aircraft and engine technologies to reduce fuel burn,” the agency adds.
The FAA also states that it has made progress on initiatives under our modernisation of U.S. air transportation system, which through operational efficiencies will further support a sustainable aviation infrastructure. “We have put in more than 7,000 GPS-based NextGen procedures so far, the majority of which result in more efficient routing. This reduces both fuel consumption and emissions,” the agency states.
The FAA also credits its partnerships with academia and industry to develop, test and approve sustainable alternative jet fuels, as well as collaboration with other civil aviation authorities to leverage progress made in this area internationally.
The next element in the sustainability chain is a global market-based measure, which will serve as ‘a gap-filler’ to ensure airlines can keep their international aviation emissions at 2020 levels.
“Since the 2013 ICAO Assembly, we have continued to work within ICAO to take a holistic approach to addressing aviation’s contribution to climate change. We, along with other Member States, continue to believe that addressing the entire basket of measures is the most effective way for international aviation to reduce its carbon footprint,” the agency states.
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