Airbus hails cap on carbon

Aircraft manufacturer Airbus has applauded the ICAO’s plan to cap carbon-dioxide emissions from international flights.

The deal will put in place a voluntary compliance system from 2021.

European aircraft manufacturer Airbus has applauded the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s plan to cap carbon-dioxide emissions from international flights at 2020 levels.

Airbus, the maker of the A380 superjumbo, said it was fully committed to helping reduce the pollution and carbon dioxide emissions spewed out by thousands of jetliners every year.

“Following the successful agreement of a CO2 certification standard for aircraft in February this year, the international carbon offset plan is another key milestone in supporting the aviation industry’s commitment in reducing CO2 emissions,” said Fabrice Bregier, president and CEO of Airbus.

“Airbus is fully committed to all pillars of the industry’s climate action plan through delivering the world’s most fuel-efficient aircraft, supporting air traffic management and airport operations improvements around the world and facilitating the wider adoption of sustainable alternative fuels.”

The landmark agreement was forged at a meeting of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, the commercial aviation regulator of the United Nations, in Montreal late last week and will apply to the passenger and cargo flights that generate more than 10,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases each year.

The deal will put in place a voluntary compliance system from 2021 and a mandatory one from 2027 that will place airlines in a carbon offsetting scheme. Airlines that pollute more than the prescribed level after 2020 would have to purchase credits.