Aviation united on climate change issues

The aviation sector was addressing climate change with a four-pillar strategy based on technology, infrastructure, operations and positive economic measures, IATA director Giovanni Bisignani said in a presentation to the United Nations secretary general Ban Ki-moon.

"We have united all the players with a clear strategy and targets that are even tougher than those our regulators are prepared to administer.

"We are eager to work within the UN framework to achieve them." 

Last week, the aviation sector outlined three goals to the International Civil Aviation Organisation. 

The industry aimed to improve fuel efficiency by an average 1.5% a year through to 2020, stabilise carbon emissions with carbon-neutral growth from 2020, and reduce carbon emissions by half by 2050, Mr Bisignani said.

The UN has stressed the importance for aviation and shipping to address the issues if the world was to succeed in reducing global greenhouse gas emissions.