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Environment
Decarbonise aviation
Reducing aviation’s environmental footprint has become one of the industry’s key priorities through the development of state-of-the art aircraft and engines, of operating measures to reduce fuel consumption in flight, and through better use of its infrastructure and facilities: airspace, airports and air traffic control. Although, globally, airlines emit only 2% of man-made CO2 emissions, the airline industry has voluntarily engaged in a global CO2 emissions reduction plan which includes improving fleet fuel efficiency by 1.5% annually from 2010 to 2020, thereafter the achievement of carbon-neutral growth, and the target of reducing carbon emissions by 50% compared to 2005 levels, in absolute terms by 2050.
A lower carbon aviation industry that plays its part in global climate change targets
AEA members are at the forefront of efforts to include carbon dioxide emissions from aviation in a robust global climate change framework. To be both environmentally effective and economically efficient and to minimise the risk of competitive distortions and carbon leakage, policy action must be taken at a global not national or regional level. Significant efficiency gains have already been achieved by the industry, through improved operational best practices and investment in lower carbon technologies. This will continue to be a priority for AEA members.
European airlines support the development of an ambitious global solution on climate change.