The International Civil Aviation Organization Adopts a Major Resolution for the Protection of the Environment

M. Bruno Lassagne, Directeur de l’Aviation Civile et Mme Diane Vachon, Consul Général de Monaco à Montréal et Représentant permanent de Monaco à l'OACI ©DR

The Paris Agreement, which, as announced by the UN, should enter into force before the end of 2016, does not explicitly mention the aviation sector.  The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) was therefore tasked with finding solutions to decrease the environmental impact of the sector.

An historic agreement was signed on 6 October 2016 on the occasion of the 39^th Assembly of member countries of the ICAO, with a view to reducing the CO₂ emissions produced by international aviation.

The Principality of Monaco played an active role in reaching this Agreement, which works towards a new chapter in international aviation.

The Monegasque delegation, comprised of Ms. Diane Vachon, Consul General of Monaco in Montreal, Permanent Representative of Monaco to the ICAO and Mr. Bruno Lassagne, Director of Civil Aviation, worked in close collaboration with the 43 countries of the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) to bring about global coordinated action at the Assembly to respond to the increase in aviation emissions, which are estimated to rise by more than 300% by 2050.  The coalition's united approach and perseverance made it possible to reach the first global agreement in this sector to combat CO₂ emissions, and therefore reduce the sector's impact on the environment.

Sixty-five States have voluntarily made a commitment to adopt this Global Market Based Measure (GMBM) from 2021, which will make it possible to offset CO₂ emissions.  Other States will progressively join this coalition by 2027, the date when the GMBM will become compulsory.  Approximately 80% of emissions will be offset between 2021 and 2035.  The GMBM scheme contains a revision clause that will enable it to be further strengthened to achieve the aims of the Paris Agreement.

This new Agreement is therefore a decisive and irreversible step towards the carbon-neutral growth of aviation, and should encourage other transport sectors, in particular the maritime transport sector, to take a similar approach.