Statement of Bob Perciasepe
President, Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
October 6, 2016
On the agreement on an international framework for controlling emissions from the global aviation sector at the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) 39th Assembly:
Today’s agreement is another major step in global efforts to combat climate change, and a clear sign that the momentum we saw in Paris continues to build. The agreement provides a practical framework for harnessing market forces to limit the rapid growth in airline emissions.
International aviation is among the fastest growing sources of greenhouse gases. Without new measures, emissions are expected to triple by 2050.
Governments in the United States and around the world are already using flexible market-based approaches to cut emissions cost-effectively. This agreement is the first to apply a market-based climate strategy across an entire sector of the global economy. By allowing airlines to offset emission increases with reductions in other sectors, the agreement provides an economical way to hold aviation emissions at 2020 levels.
With this framework in place, governments and airlines should move quickly to develop rules ensuring a smooth-working market that delivers real reductions.
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For more information:
- International Fellow Anthony Mansell’s blog on the ICAO agreement
- Background on international aviation emissions
To speak to a C2ES expert, please contact Laura Rehrmann, press@c2es.org, 703-516-4146
About C2ES: The Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) is an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization promoting strong policy and action to address our energy and climate challenges. Learn more at www.c2es.org.