http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/10/18/business/7230256&sec=business

Bisignani: Industry’s ambitious targets still ahead of governments

PETALING JAYA: The green agenda is gaining momentum worldwide as governments and industries become increasingly aware and concerned over their impact on climate change.
For the aviation industry, which is said to account for 2% to 3% of global carbon emissions, a new milestone in the green movement was recently reached at the 37th session of the assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) in Montreal, Canada.
ICAO managed to secure the consensus of its 190 member countries for a global framework to reduce carbon emissions from the aviation industry. The framework includes earnest commitment from member states to improve fuel efficiency by 2% annually till 2050, achieve carbon neutral growth from 2020, and for a global carbon dioxide standard for aircraft engines by 2013.
“For the first time, we have globally agreed aspirational goals to stabilise emissions. No other industry sector has a similar globally agreed framework for managing its response to climate change in a manner that takes into consideration the needs of both developed and developing states. This is a good first step that prepares the way for future achievements,” Giovanni Bisignani, director-general and CEO of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), said in a recent statement. (Bisignani had been leading the charge in pressuring ICAO to come up with a framework to govern aviation emissions.)
The ICAO resolution also calls for the development of a global framework based on 15 agreed principles designed to, among other things, minimise market distortions and safeguard the fair treatment of aviation relative to other sectors.
The resolution will be presented at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change summit in Mexico in December.
In the local aviation sector, Malaysia Airlines has already put in place efforts to reduce fuel consumption and enhance fuel efficiency, such as by redirecting routes at the most economical speed and changing to newer and more fuel-efficient fleet, operation-wise.
On the ground, the national carrier has its own 3R (reduce, reuse and recycle) programmes and initiatives to switch to biodegradable products.
AirAsia, on the other hand, is already utilising new and efficient planes which contribute to lower fuel consumption. In addition, the seat configuration (higher number of seats) for its planes have enabled the group to have one of the lowest fuel burn and carbon emissions per seat in the world.
“We must recognise that a long journey still lies ahead. The industry’s ambitious targets are still ahead of governments. Our commitment to cut emissions in half by 2050 compared to 2005 remains the global benchmark. The entire aviation industry is committed to working under the leadership of ICAO as we move forward to achieve both the aspirations outlined in the agreement and the industry’s targets,” Bisignani said in the statement.
Last year, IATA committed to three goals: a 1.5% average annual improvement in fuel efficiency till 2020, capping net emissions with carbon-neutral growth from 2020, and cutting net emissions in half by 2050 compared to 2005.
“We are confident that achieving a 1.5% average annual improvement in fuel efficiency is possible with the efforts of the industry. The 2% ICAO goal means that governments must come to the table with much needed infrastructure improvements,” said Bisignani.