A United Nations body agreed on Friday to a long-term aspirational goal for net-zero aviation emissions by 2050, despite challenges from China and other countries aligned largely with airlines amid pressure to curb air pollution. China, backed by Russia and Eritrea, questioned the feasibility of the goal, and argued developed countries must provide financial support to developing nations with faster-growing aviation markets. The assembly also approved changes to the baseline of ICAO's flagship aviation emissions agreement CORSIA. "Having a single, global goal for an international industry like aviation will provide much-needed certainty for the industry, investors and all states involved," said Adina Valean, European commissioner for transport. Jo Dardenne, aviation director at Brussels-based Transport & Environment, said the goal is better than no goal, but decried the lack of a plan to achieve the target.

Source: The Nation October 08, 2022 04:47 UTC