22 September 2009

BA to outline industry emission pledge at UN climate summit

Airlines, airports and airline manufacturers have agreed to cut carbon dioxide emissions to half the 2005 levels by 2050.

The pledge is due to be announced by British Airways chief executive Willie Walsh to world leaders at the United NationÃ¢â¬â¢s climate summit in New York later today.

He will be joined by senior executives from Qatar Airways, SAS and IATA to unveil the plans.

"International aviation emissions were not included in the Kyoto protocol 12 years ago,Ã¢â¬~ Walsh will tell the summit.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœNow 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."

Other proposals are:

Ã¢â¬~¢ to make all industry growth carbon-neutral by 2020

Ã¢â¬~¢ to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 1.5% each year over the next decade

Ã¢â¬~¢ to submit plans for joining a global carbon trading scheme to the UN by November 2010

If the UN accepts these proposals, they will be on the agenda at a follow-up meeting in Copenhagen later this year.

Earlier this year, Walsh warned that a global emissions scheme would cost the aviation industry Ã&#pound;3 billion a year and that the extra cost would be passed on to passengers.

By Bev Fearis