Climate Action 2011-2012

Aviation is an instrument of peace
and a generator of prosperity.
© James Cridland
However, no matter how cleverly conceived, this cannot be
a solution to a global problem. Moreover, regional schemes
increase the risk of a layering of taxes and charges. Already in
Europe we see the UK’s Air Passenger Duty collecting £2.5
billion from air travellers – enough to offset all UK emissions
related to aviation four times over. Europe’s planned
inclusion of aviation into its emissions trading scheme makes
no promise for the elimination of this or any of the other
European taxes introduced for climate change purposes.
aviation fuel demand with sustainable biofuel by 2020.
Secondly, governments can help develop harmonised global
sustainability standards to ensure biofuels do not compete
with food supply and biodiversity. And thirdly, they can
incentivise the use of biofuels.
Aviation is a serious partner,
committed to real reductions
in its carbon emissions.
If these elements are in place, then biofuels will become a
fact of aviation life even sooner than we dared to hope.
economic meASureS
One area where governments are taking action is on
positive economic measures – our fourth pillar. ICAO’s
190 contracting states agreed to principles for a global
emissions trading or compensation scheme in 2010. ICAO
also committed to deliver a global framework for marketbased
measures at its next assembly, which is less than 24
months away. The industry is fully supporting ICAO in
the challenging task to achieve a framework that does not
distort markets, recognises past and future efforts, supports
environmental investments and ensures that airlines are not
charged for their emissions more than once.
A meSSAge to governmentS
Our message for governments attending COP17 is
reassurance that aviation remains committed to its ambitious
emissions reduction goals. Co-operation and partnership
– with industry and among governments – is the key to
achieving the targets. The place to solidify these is ICAO,
which is the only organisation that can set a global strategic
framework for aviation – including for economic measures.
Aviation is an instrument of peace and a generator of
prosperity – both material and of the human spirit. It is
the collective responsibility of industry and government
to ensure that it can continue to fulfil this unique role as a
catalyst for sustainable development with the highest levels
of environmental responsibility.
The Delegates at this COP17 have a great opportunity
to show that the rhetoric on reducing carbon emissions
is evolving into concrete, practical action. Aviation is
a serious partner, committed to real reductions in its
carbon emissions. We look forward to working with world
governments who share this goal.
Tony Tyler has been Director General and CEO of IATA since July 2011.
Prior to joining IATA, Tyler built his career at John Swire & Sons in Hong
Kong. From 1978 he moved within the Swire Group to Cathay Pacific
Airways, eventually serving as its Chief Executive from July 2007 to
March 2011. Before this, Tyler held various senior positions at the
airline, including Chief Operating Officer (2005-2007) and Director of
Corporate Development (1996-2005). Internationally, Tyler served on the
IATA Board of Governors from 2007 to 2011 and was its Chairman from
June 2009 to June 2010.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is the global
trade organisation of one of the most dynamic industries in the world.
Over 60 years, IATA has developed the commercial standards that have
built global air transport. Today, IATA’s mission is to represent, lead
and serve the airline industry. Its members comprise some 230 airlines
– the world’s leading passenger and cargo airlines among them –
representing 93 per cent of scheduled international air traffic.
IATA
800 Place Victoria, PO Box 113, Montreal, H4Z 1M1
Quebec, Canada
Tel: +1 514 874 0202 | Fax: +1 514 874 9632
Web: www.iata.org
125 climateactionprogramme.org