Europe's airports applaud IAG's Net Zero CO2 commitment
10 October 2019
Brussels - Earlier today, IAG announced that it is stepping up its climate action with a package of measures to reduce its airlines’ carbon footprint and committing to Net Zero CO2 emissions by 2050. Reacting to the announcement1, Europe’s airports applauded the move and offered their support to help the group reaching that long-term goal. They also reiterated their call for Europe to adopt policies that effectively facilitate and enable the decarbonization of aviation at large.
IAG’s bold move complements the commitment of the European airport industry to achieve Net Zero for carbon emissions under their control by 20502. This airport industry pledge has so far been undersigned by 203 airports which individually committed to the same goal – these airports account for 64.3% of the continent’s air traffic.
Olivier Jankovec, Director General of ACI EUROPE said: “IAG’s new climate targets are excellent news and should be applauded. Collective industry leadership is crucial to maintain aviation’s societal relevance in the face of the Climate Emergency. While achieving carbon-neutral growth as of 2020 is an important and needed first step, we all need to go beyond that – and set a long-term ambition for Net Zero for the sector. Europe’s airports stand ready to help and support IAG in its endeavours, and we hope that other airlines will quickly follow its lead. But, beyond airlines, Air Traffic Management (ATM) must also get aligned and contribute. I am increasingly hearing voices downplaying the role that ATM can play in decarbonization – this is simply not acceptable. There can be no justification to defend the status quo.”
