Aviation setting green tone for others: IATA
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“Airlines are leading the debate on environment with a vision to become carbon neutral in the medium-term and zero carbon emissions in the long term,” said IATA’s Director General and CEO, Giovanni Bisignani.
“We are setting the benchmark on environmental performance for other industries to follow,” he said at the World Air Transport Forum in Cannes which is focused on sustainable development.
He said IATA’s 240 member airlines have agreed a four-pillar strategy on climate change that covers investment in new technology, efficient infrastructre, operating planes effectively and working with governments to define an emissions trading scheme.
“The strategy is not just words. We have delivered real results,” said Bisignani.
Last year, IATA’s fuel campaign saved six million tonnes of CO2 by shortening 350 routes; eight million tonnes of CO2 by working with airlines on best practice in fuel management; and one million tonnes of CO2 through better operational procedures.
“We cannot do it all on our own-governments must be involved,” said Bisignani.
Bisignani criticized European governments specifically for taking “a completely political and totally irresponsible approach by unilaterally pursuing emissions trading rather than taking a global approach”.
“This will cause diplomatic trade battles, but will do nothing for the environment,” said Bisignani.
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