ACI puts environmental agreement high on agenda at ICAO Assembly
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On the eve of the 41st ICAO Triennial Assembly, Airports Council International (ACI) is calling on States to adopt an ambitious environmental agreement.
ACI World director general, Luis Felipe de Oliveira, said: “The adoption of an ambitious environmental agreement at the ICAO 41st Triennial Assembly fully aligned with the Paris Agreement and the aviation industry’s own commitments would demonstrate the leadership and commitment of ICAO and governments in taking bold measures to combat climate change.”
The entire aviation industry had agreed in October 2021, through the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG), to a common goal of Net Zero CO2 emissions by 2050.
This goal is ambitious and achievable, but requires strong support from governments, with a clear regulatory framework to support the changes, including investment in the development of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
ACI, which represents close to airports across the globe, calls on all ICAO member States to:
• Continue to support the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), as the single global market-based mechanism for international aviation emissions; and,
• Agree a collective long-term aspirational goal (LTAG) of Net Zero by 2050, and the associated measures; both in accordance with the revisions to the Assembly Resolutions presented by the ICAO Council to the Assembly for adoption.
“It is essential that the aviation industry and ICAO States work together to support the objectives of the Paris Agreement and build a sustainable framework for the long-term development of the aviation industry,” notes de Oliveira.
“ICAO has shown such leadership in the past, and it needs to demonstrate similar leadership for our collective future. ACI will work with all participants at the 41st Assembly to achieve an ambitious outcome – the time is now.”
In total the ACI World delegation will present five Working Papers to ICAO during its Triennial Assembly. The paper will address:
• The need to attracting and develop the aviation ecosystem’s workforce to ensure the industry’s long-term sustainability and resilience
• Airports’ efforts to decarbonise, required support and a collaborative approach with governments and stakeholders
• Accessibility to persons with disabilities: Dignified air travel for all
• Support of ICAO’s Airport Economics Panel
• Support for effective mechanisms to fight wildlife trafficking
“The ICAO Assembly is an opportunity for ACI to represent the views of airports and to present and discuss our global concerns,” adds de Oliveira.
“Our Working Papers this year focus on developing aviation’s workforce; strengthening accessibility to air travel; meeting the industry’s net zero carbon goal by 2050; modernising global policy frameworks on airport charges to ensure infrastructure development; and, reinforcing action to stop wildlife trafficking.
“All our papers have been developed with guidance from our membership through the ACI World Governing Board. We look forward to reporting on the outcomes of our work.”
Ahead of the Assembly, which starts tomorrow, ACI launched the #All4one Aviation Ecosystem campaign to underpin its advocacy at ICAO’s 41st Assembly under one theme.
