Airlines put forward proposals for global aviation deal on carbon in Bonn

Aviation emissions, which currently account for around two per cent of global CO2 emissions, do not fall under the Kyoto Protocol commitments and are not currently managed under an international climate change treaty.


The Aviation Global Deal (AGD) Group – whose expanding membership includes Air France, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Qatar Airways and Virgin Atlantic, as well as airport operator BAA and international NGO The Climate Group – want to change all this.


Its initial draft proposals, presented to UN negotiators back in April, made the case for aviation emissions to be tackled through a “global sectoral agreement”, rather than a “patchwork of regional initiatives” that could allow carbon leakage and lead to unequal treatment of airlines.


In April, the AGD called for a global target to be set for the sector, which could be achieved  through a ‘cap and trade’ emissions trading mechanism. Such a system would basically put a cap on each airline’s carbon emissions which could only be exceeded by buying carbon credits from a lower polluting competitor.


Building on feedback from governments, the airline industry and NGOs, the paper being presented by the AGD today will put forward three scenarios based on three potential emission reduction targets for the sector.


The three targets – for carbon neutral growth, a five per cent reduction or a 20 per cent reduction between 2005 and 2020 – are designed to reflect the range of views on how far international aviation should go to address global climate change.


Under all three scenarios put forward, the airlines would be active participants in international carbon markets which, says the AGD, would ensure they are able to meet their emissions targets in the most cost effective way.


In an attempt to secure “a fair and equitable deal” from negotiators in Copenhagen, the AGD also proposes that a proportion of the sector’s emission allowances should be auctioned to generate revenues for climate change initiatives in developing countries. In its best case scenario, the AGD says this could generate as much as $5 billion (£3 billion) a year to support activities such as climate adaptation programmes and initiatives to combat tropical deforestation.


“The AGD approach reflects a business perspective on what is necessary to deliver a fair and equitable outcome for airlines, informed by an understanding of the political realities of the international climate change negotiations,” said Mark Kenber, policy director at the Climate Group.


“The AGD proposal would ensure a robust environmental outcome, achieved at the lowest cost, while generating important financial flows for addressing climate change in developing countries. This is a solution that works for the environment, the aviation industry and critically the international climate negotiations."


Last week Virgin Blue Airlines Group became the latest – and the first Australasian – airline to join the AGD Group.


Speaking about his company’s decision to join the AGD, chief executive Brett Godfrey said: “There is a limit to what individual airlines can achieve [in terms of reducing carbon emissions] and it makes sense to work together globally with like-minded organisations to seek a uniform and integrated approach to international policy on aviation’s contribution to climate change.”

 
Following today’s presentation, the AGD expects to continue to engage with negotiators and stakeholders to help secure what is sees as a “successful outcome for international aviation” in Copenhagen in December.