United Nations' aviation organization passes world's first C02 emissions standards for aircrafts, draws mixed reaction

Amid growing political tensions around the world, the United Nations turned their attention to another issue that is equally as alarming as all others. The U.N. agency in charge of overseeing commercial air travel has lobbied new standards to cut emission from commercial airlines, which accounts for 3% of global carbon emissions.  

The new standards are set by the United Nation's International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), as reported by Time Sunday. Under the regulatory measures, aircraft manufacturers are now required to reduce emissions by one-third starting with the 2023 production cycle. Starting 2020, aircraft designs will have to abide by the said standards.

"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," ICAO president Olumuwiya Benard Aliu said.

The implementation of these new standards is a result of six years of negotiations between 22 countries that have been trying to come up with the first global carbon dioxide emissions standards for aircrafts. A market-based mechanism will be finalized later this year and will be adopted by airline companies and manufacturers.

Reuters reported the new rules would affect Boeing and Airbus Group SE. Aircrafts such as jetliners and freighters are covered by the standards.

Commercial passenger jets and other vessels that weigh 60 tonnes or more are responsible for the large bulk of carbon dioxide emissions produce by the aviation industry. Air travel and shipping is expected to account for 30% of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

However, the International Council on Clean Transportation opined that the proposal will have minimal effect in limiting carbon emissions. According to the council, most airlines that are currently in service have a life span of 20-30. As they are not covered by the ICAO-supported standards, it will take decades to remedy the damage already done by the current generation of aircrafts.

Vera Pardee of Oakland's Center for Biological Diversity said the proposal is "woefully insufficient." 

"ICAO is not proposing to do anything about the existing fleet, and it could,"  Pardee added.

Nevertheless, the new standards received support from governments and advocates.

White House officials commend the standards devised by the ICAO, calling it "a huge deal" as the aviation sector inches towards its goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2020.

Environmental advocates also laud the initiative, describing it as a "positive step" in the right direction. 

The proposed standard is one of the many regulations and standards being lobby in an effort to reduce the effects of climate change worldwide. 

Tags

United Nations, United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization, United States, White House, greenhouse gas emissions, C02 emissions, United Nations Climate Change Conference, Climate Change

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