Aviation industry calls for inclusion in Copenhagen deal

Four of the world's leading airlines have today called for CO2 emissions from international aviation to be included in any new global climate change deal agreed at the UN's Copenhagen Summit in December.

Air France/KLM, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Virgin Atlantic and airport operator BAA said emissions from international aviation, which currently contribute an estimated two per cent of global CO2 emissions, should be included in any replacement deal for the Kyoto Protocol.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Tony Tyler, chief executive of Cathay Pacific Airways said that the aviation sector should co-operate with negotiators as they seek to broker a deal designed to halve global greenhouse emissions by 2050.

"Aviation has a key part to play in reducing global emissions and for too long has been seen as part of the climate problem rather than part of the solution," he said. "We hope the work of our group will offer a practical industry-led solution that creates a level playing field and appeals to policy makers, environmental groups and businesses alike."

Aviation was not included in the Kyoto Protocol because of its international nature and the difficulty in assigning emissions to a particular country.

The group said that any climate deal for aviation must offer genuine environmental benefits, be operationally and economically sound, maintain market forces, and reflect the UN climate change principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities" between countries with different levels of development.

The group has already begun working on ways to reduce their emissions with international NGO The Climate Group.

Steve Howard, chief executive of The Climate Group, said the aviation industry has a major role to play in shaping a successful international climate policy. "By making a fair and equitable contribution it must help provide finance for the reduction of emissions in other sectors, reduced emissions from deforestation and support for adaptation," he said. "The launch of the AGD Group is an important and welcome step towards helping countries to agree an environmentally robust approach to the sector's international emissions."

The EU has introduced legislation to cut emissions from the aviation sector by including it in the Union's carbon cap-and-trade scheme from 2030.

The industry has broadly objected to the proposals, warning that imposing a price on emissions for airlines flying to and from the EU will penalise European carriers and encourage international operators to use alternative hubs such as Dubai.

The move from the AGD suggests that airlines would be willing to support efforts to cut and even cap emissions if an international framework is developed that does not lead to inconsistencies between different markets.