Aviation Emissions Deal Must Be Enforceable

A deal to cap carbon emissions from global aviation at 2020 levels must be enforceable and set long-term goals in line with the 2015 Paris agreement on climate change, a coalition of environmental groups said.

Aviation was excluded from the landmark climate accord in Paris in December, but carbon emissions from the sector could triple by 2050 if left unchecked, the International Coalition for Sustainable Aviation warned.

In Paris, countries agreed to limit the rise in global temperatures to "well below" 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels.

"Now, countries need to fulfill their Paris promises by ensuring that the aviation industry does its fair share," Brad Schallert from the World Wildlife Fund said in a statement.

The ICAO has until October to complete a deal that would cap and cut the carbon pollution of all international flights. The market-based plan must win the support of its 190 member countries at its Montreal assembly, or risk the EU breaking off talks and imposing its own emissions trading plan on international airlines.

The International Coalition for Sustainable Aviation, which represents a half dozen non-profit groups, is closely following the ICAO talks. It said any deal must have clear compliance requirements that are enforceable and include accurate flight-by-flight emissions monitoring.

The coalition also said a deal should be subject to review to help the aviation industry meet its more ambitious goal of cutting carbon emissions by 50 percent in 2050 from 2005 levels.