The International Civil Aviation Organisation (Icao) has made further headway with its aircraft CO2 emissions standard, the United Nations-driven body said in a statement.
The new environmental measure was unanimously recommended yesterday (Tuesday) by the 170 international experts on Icao’s Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP), paving the way for its ultimate adoption by the UN agency’s 36-state governing council.
Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, president of the Icao council, said: “Every step taken in support of Icao’s full basket of measures for environmental improvement is an important one, and I am sure the council will be deeply appreciative of the this latest CAEP achievement.”
Under the CAEP recommendation, the new CO2 emissions standard will not only be applicable to new aircraft type designs as of 2020, but also to new deliveries of current in-production aircraft types from 2023.
“The goal of this process is ultimately to ensure that when the next generation of aircraft types enters service, there will be guaranteed reductions in international CO2 emissions,” said Aliu.
“Our sector presently accounts for fewer than 2% of the world’s annual CO2 emissions, but we also recognise that the projected doubling of flights by 2030 must be managed responsibly and sustainably.”
