Asia Pacific airlines seek political support for global approach on emissions

The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) has expressed its full support for industry targets to deliver an improvement in CO2 emissions efficiency of 1.5% each year to 2020, carbon neutral growth from 2020, and a halving of net emissions by 2050.

Speaking at Greener Skies 2009 in Hong Kong on October 6, Mr. Andrew Herdman, Director General AAPA said, “These are challenging and ambitious targets, but certainly achievable using the industry’s established four pillar strategy, combining technology, infrastructure, operational improvements and economic measures.”

Mr. Herdman added, “However, as an energy intensive, globally competitive industry, we need to build political support for a global sectoral approach for international aviation. The alternative of apatchwork of uncoordinated schemes and arbitrary levies would not achieve the desired environmental objectives in a cost effective manner. These are the key messages industry will be delivering to the ICAO High Level Meeting on Climate Change in Montreal, October 7-9, 2009 in preparation for Copenhagen.”

Noting that the Asia Pacific region is home to two-thirds of the world’s population and includes diverse economies representing both developed and developing nations, Mr. Herdman added, “We understand the challenges and difficulties of reaching a political consensus on climate change initiatives, which must address the aspirations of developing nations and principles of equity. Now is the time for fresh thinking on ways to overcome these political difficulties. Asia Pacific carriers remain committed to playing a full part in efforts to address these environmental challenges.”