IATA urges governments go further in facing emissions challenges

World airline trade association the International Air Transport Association (IATA) called for governments and their partners to show a greater sense of urgency when dealing with climate change.

IATA, which highlighted the aviation industry's leading position in managing the impact of carbon emissions, made its plea at the 39th Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) on what was the first anniversary of the landmark Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA).

"CORSIA was a historic demonstration of what can be achieved when governments and industry work together. Implementing it will be a critical enabler of aviation's commitment to carbon-neutral growth from 2020. But our ultimate goal is much more ambitious—cutting net emissions to half their 2005 levels by 2050. Along with implementing CORSIA, we must move much faster on key issues such as the development of sustainable aviation fuels and the reform of air traffic management," said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA's director general and chief executive.

The trade body highlighted four main areas that could assist in accelerating its sustainability agenda, broadening the coverage of CORSIA to include additional countries, aiding airlines in their preparations for implementation of the programme, promoting the development of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and improving infrastructure, particularly in air traffic management.

De Juniac stressed that the aviation industry's vision and leadership was an integral driving force behind environmental stability as a whole.

"Sustainability is a team effort. Policy is in the hands of governments, but it is strengthened by the expertise, experience and vision that the aviation industry brings to the table. By working together we have a great opportunity to shape the future of an already critical industry. Aviation connects 4bn passengers a year and in doing so it supports 63m jobs and $2.7trn in economic activity. We have a great responsibility to protect these economic and social benefits for future generations by meeting our climate change commitments. We cannot afford to be complacent about our progress. We must not rest until the Business of Freedom is the Sustainable Business of Freedom," said de Juniac.