Aim to halve 2005 levels by 2050
The aviation industry is due to make a pledge today (September 22) to halve its 2005 levels of C02 emissions by 2050.
The promise is the result of a deal between airlines, aircraft makers and airports.
It will be delivered at the UN Climate Summit in New York by Willie Walsh, ceo of BA.
The Summit is aimed at preparing the ground for the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December.
The airlines' move is aimed at stopping criticism that aviation is not doing enough to curb emissions from the fast growing industry.
Critics say that if aviation goes on growing at its current rate, it will be responsible for huge increases in CO2 emissions worldwide by 2050.
Environmentalists say higher taxes are needed to control this threatened rise.
The industry has countered by saying that new aircraft like the Airbus 380 and the Boeing Dreamliner are far more fuel efficient than previous planes.
It also points to the continuing research and development of biofuel.
But the UK transport secretary Lord Adonis said last week that emissions from the industry could not be allowed to go unchecked.
Mr Walsh will be among several airline spokesman, including executives from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Qatar Airways and SAS, who will attend the UN Forum today.
Mr Walsh is due to tell the conference that aviation emissions were not included in the Kyoto Protocol drawn up 12 years ago.
He will say: "Now we have a chance to rectify that omission, and we must seize it.
"Our proposals represent the most environmentally effective and practical means of reducing aviation's carbon impact.
"They are the best option for the planet and we urge the UN to adopt them."
The main airline proposals are:
- to cut net carbon dioxide emissions by 50% by 2050, compared with 2005 levels
- to make all growth in the aviation industry carbon-neutral by 2020
- to cut C02 emissions by 1.5% each year over the next decade
- to submit plans for joining a global carbon trading scheme to the UN by November 2010.
If the UN accepts the plans, they are likely to appear on the agenda in Copenhagen in December.
The plan to set up a global carbon trading scheme may supersede the EU project for a similar development due to come into force in 2012.
Such schemes whereby airlines trade carbon emissions with carriers exceeding their quota buying carbon emission rights from those which do not are likely to add to airline costs.
Mr Walsh has estimated it could add £3m a year to costs which would be passed onto customers in the form of higher fares or fees.
www.ba.com [1] www.iata.org [2]