European Union and neighbouring states join global aviation emissions pact

The European Union and 16 surrounding countries including Turkey, Ukraine and Georgia, are planning to join the first phase of a UN-brokered deal- GMBM (global market-based measure) scheme. It aims to limit carbon emissions from international flights.

• The United Nations’ International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) will shortly meet to finalise the deal.

Background:

Aviation was excluded from last December’s climate accord in Paris when countries agreed to limit the global average rise in in temperatures to ‘well below’ 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels.

Details:

• The proposed new deal on aviation will be voluntary between 2021 and 2026 and then mandatory from 2027 for the world’s largest emitters.
• The deal aims to cap the carbon pollution of all international flights at 2020 levels.
• Airlines in participating countries would need to limit their emissions or offset them by buying carbon credits from designated environmental projects around the world.