ICAO committee recommends new standards for CO₂ emissions

The Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP), which comprises 170 industry experts and which is part of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), has recommended a new set of standards for CO₂ emissions, standards which it is anticipated will be adopted by the ICAO’s Governing Council later this year.
The Committee’s recommendation is to see these new standards applied to new aircraft types from 2020 as well as new deliveries of current aircraft which are in production, from 2023. The committee are also suggesting a cut-off point of 2028 for production aircraft which fail to meet these new criteria, which are particularly harsh on aircraft over 60 tonnes and which are currently responsible for in excess of 90% of international aviation emissions.
According to Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, president of the ICAO Council, “The goal of this process is ultimately to ensure that when the next generation of aircraft types enter service, there will be guaranteed reductions in international CO₂ emissions.
“Our sector presently accounts for under 2% of the world’s annual CO₂ emissions, but we also recognize that the projected doubling of global passengers and flights by 2030 must be managed responsibly and sustainably.”
Aliu added “It is particularly encouraging that the CAEP’s recommendation responds so directly to the aircraft technology improvements which States have forged consensus on at recent ICAO Assemblies.
“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.”
The new standard has taken into account a combination of structural, aerodynamic and propulsion measures in an effort to reduce future emissions.
The recommendations received a rapid and positive response from the European Union, which had already been pushing for much tighter regulations on emissions. Confirming that she saw the agreement as “an important step,” EU Transport Commissioner, Violeta Bulc, also commented that “An ambitious climate policy is an integral part of the Commission’s plan to create an Energy Union, and a priority of the new [EU] Aviation Strategy. The EU played a central role in brokering this deal, as it did at the COP21 in Paris. I hope this will create further momentum for the creation of a Global Market-Based Measure to offset CO₂ emissions from international aviation.”
Boeing made it clear it was 100% in favor of the Commission’s new standard – “This agreement represents real progress beyond the substantial industry achievements already made to reduce aviation emissions, with more steps ahead.” Airbus also confirmed they were behind the recommendation, while Nancy Young, A4A Vice-President is quoted as saying “Our industry already has a tremendous record of fuel efficiency improvements and emissions savings, and we are committed to continuing that trend.”