Airlines propose worldwide targets to reduce carbon dioxide emissions

Finnair and the other airlines belonging to the Aviation Global Deal Group,
together with The Climate Group, today explained the emissions reduction targets
that the group will propose for inclusion in the air transport emissions trading
agreement that will possibly arise at the Copenhagen Climate Conference.

The AGD Group will propose a worldwide sector agreement for air transport,
covering the carbon dioxide emissions of all internationally operating airlines.
Emissions reductions would be achieved with the aid of global targets. The AGD
proposal includes three scenarios in which emissions will be reduced by 50-80
per cent by 2050.

In the different scenarios, growth of air transport emissions would be halted or
emissions reduced by five or 20 per cent by 2020 compared with their 2005
levels. The three scenarios are based on policies as well as the sector’s and
organisations’ views on the role and opportunities for air transport in climate
change measures. In all of the scenarios, the airlines would participate in
international carbon dioxide trading so that adjustment to emissions
restrictions and emissions reductions would be financially sustainable and so
that emissions trading would act as a financial means of control towards more
ecological operating practices.

The AGD proposal emphasises the equality of the emissions trading model. Revenue
from the auction of emissions rights would be directed in the AGD model to
measures to combat climate change in developing countries.

“To really achieve a reduction in air transport emissions, the emissions trading
agreement must be worldwide. An agreement covering only certain airlines or
areas will cause carbon leakage, i.e. it will support operating practices that
increase environmental loading, such as stopovers in the wrong places for the
flight journey, outside the emissions trading area,” observes Finnair’s VP
Sustainable Development Kati Ihamäki.

According to the scenarios, annual auction revenue could be up to five billion
dollars, which could be used for measures to combat climate change in developing
countries, such as preventing the destruction of forests. Forest destruction is
a significant source of greenhouse gases.

The AGD Group includes, in addition to Finnair, The Climate Group as well as the
airlines Air France-KLM, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Virgin Atlantic, Qatar
Airways, the ground handling company BAA, and now Virgin Blue Airlines, which
has joined as a new member.

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