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European aviation welcomes ICAO Assembly agreement on net-zero future

7 October 2022

 

  • Destination 2050 partners voice full support for ICAO Assembly’s agreement on net-zero goal, aligning sector’s objective with the Paris Agreement

  • Industry reiterates its call for policies which support sector’s transition


Brussels - Today, the five leading European aviation associations1 which are close partners through the Destination 2050 decarbonisation roadmap, came out in strong support of the outcome of the 41st Triennial International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Assembly.
 
The UN body overseeing the global civil air transport sector succeeded in setting net zero CO2 emissions by 2050 as the worldwide climate goal for aviation, de facto aligning its climate ambition with the Paris Agreement as well as the global aviation industry’s own target and commitment. The Destination 2050 partners stressed the importance of global political support for the net-zero future for aviation, and called on ICAO and its Member States to work on emissions reduction objectives through a global approach with coordinated policies for the entire sector.
 
Through Destination 2050, the European aviation industry was the first in the world to commit to the realisation of a net-zero goal for all departing flights. Announced in early 2021, the Destination 2050 alliance and commitment included a comprehensive roadmap based on a clear set of measures to reach that goal. The Destination 2050 partners remain fully committed to this roadmap and call for political support for its four pillars including with aircraft and engine technologies, air traffic management and aircraft operations, Sustainable Aviation Fuels and smart economic measures.
 
Aviation, as a global enterprise, needs climate policies that ensure harmonised approaches for all stakeholders, and to be met by commensurate actions across all regions. In this respect, the Destination 2050 partners praised the long-awaited global agreement at ICAO. They recognised its key role in providing consistency among policies, creating a level playing field, and setting the ground for the necessary regulatory certainty for investment and finance to secure a sustainable future for the air transport sector globally.
 
 

 
 
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  • Note to editors

    1 AeroSpace and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD Europe), Airports Council International Europe (ACI EUROPE), Airlines for Europe (A4E), Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO), European Regions’ Airline Association (ERA)

     

    Notes to Editors:

    Draft of the LTAG Resolution text which was adopted by the ICAO Assembly

     

    About Destination 2050

    Europe’s aviation sector is collectively on board to lead the way in reducing aviation CO2 emissions by 2030 and 2050 - making flying more sustainable for the long term. In February 2021, Europe’s airlines, airports, aerospace manufacturers and air navigation service providers laid out a joint long-term vision along with concrete solutions to the complex challenge of reaching Net Zero CO2 emissions from all flights departing the EU, UK and EFTA by 2050. The independent report by the Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR) and SEO Amsterdam Economics shows how a combination of actions from all stakeholders - including the EU and national governments - in four key areas could achieve substantial CO2 emissions reductions in line with EU climate goals. These include: Improvements in aircraft and engine technologies (including hybrid, electric and hydrogen propulsion), using sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) both for fixed- and rotary-wing platforms, implementing economic measures and improvements in air traffic management (ATM) and aircraft operations. For more information, visit http://www.destination2050.eu/

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    Media contacts

     
    A4E
    Kevin Hiney
    Communications Director
    Email: kevin.hiney@a4e.eu
    Phone: +32 499 82 82 94
     
    ACI EUROPE
    Virginia Lee
    Senior Vice President: Communications, Membership and Marketing
    Email: virginia.lee@aci-europe.org
    Phone: +32 2 552 09 82
     
    ASD Europe
    Adrian Schmitz
    Communications Director
    Email: adrian.schmitz@asd-europe.org
    Phone: +32 473 13 33 30
     
    CANSO
    Johnny Pring
    Manager Europe Policy and Advocacy
    Email: johnny.pring@canso.org
    Phone: +32 493 53 61 24
     
    ERA
    Paula Bangle
    GM Business Development
    Email: paula.bangle@eraa.org
    Phone: +44 1276 485558



     
    Airlines for Europe (A4E) - Launched in 2016, Airlines for Europe (A4E) is Europe’s largest airline association, based in Brussels. The organisation advocates on behalf of its members to help shape European aviation policy to the benefit of consumers, ensuring a continued safe and competitive air transport market. A4E is one of the initiators of European aviation’s Destination 2050 decarbonisation roadmap, with a pledge to reach net zero CO2 emissions from all flights within and departing Europe by 2050. In 2019, A4E members carried more than 720 million passengers via a modern fleet of over 3,000 aircraft – accounting for more than 70 per cent of the continent’s journeys. Members with air cargo and mail activities transport more than 5 million tons of goods each year to more than 360 destinations either by freighters or passenger aircraft. Current members include Aegean, airBaltic, Air France-KLM Group, Cargolux, easyJet, Finnair, Icelandair, International Airlines Group (IAG), Jet2.com, Lufthansa Group, Norwegian, Ryanair Holdings, Smartwings, TAP Air Portugal, TUI and Volotea.  Follow us on Twitter @A4Europe. 
     
     
    ACI EUROPE (Airport Council International) is the European region of Airports Council International (ACI), the only worldwide professional association of airport operators. ACI EUROPE represents over 500 airports in 55 countries. Our members facilitate over 90% of commercial air traffic in Europe. Air transport supports 13.5 million jobs, generating €886 billion in European economic activity (4.4% of GDP). In response to the Climate Emergency, in June 2019 our members committed to achieving Net Zero carbon emissions for operations under their control by 2050, without offsetting.

     
    ASD is the voice of European Aeronautics, Space, Defence and Security Industries, actively promoting and supporting the competitive development of the sector by advocating common positions towards European Institutions and International organisations.

     
    CANSO – the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation – is the global voice of air traffic management worldwide. CANSO Members support almost 90 percent of world air traffic. Members share information and develop new policies, with the ultimate aim of improving air navigation services on the ground and in the air. CANSO represents its Members’ views in major regulatory and industry forums, including at ICAO, where it has official Observer status. CANSO has an extensive network of Associate Members drawn from across the aviation industry. For more, visit www.canso.org.

     
    Founded in 1980, European Regions Airline Association (ERA) is a non-profit trade association representing over 60 airlines and around 150 companies involved in European air transport and is the only association representing the entire spectrum of companies involved in European aviation. The association promotes the interests of European airlines by lobbying European regulatory bodies on policy matters, promoting the social and economic importance of air transport and its environmental commitments.