ATAG ISSUES CORSIA DEADLINE DAY REMINDER TO THE WORLD"S AIRLINES

Airlines and business aircraft operators have just seven months to prepare themselves for the first stage of the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), with monitoring of all CO2 emissions to start from January 1, 2019.

Speaking on World Environment Day and as airline chief executives gather in Sydney for the IATA AGM, Air Transport Action Group (ATAG) executive director, Michael Gill, reminded them of the urgent need to prepare.

Read also - All news of the day

“We can be proud that the aviation sector has promoted and developed the world’s first sectoral climate change mechanism with CORSIA, but we also need to be ready to comply with it," stated Gill.

"From January 1st next year, all operators with international services must start monitoring and reporting their emissions. In fact, even before the end of this year, it is recommended that airlines have a monitoring plan in place.

“ATAG has been working closely with our IATA and IBAC colleagues to help operators prepare for CORSIA implementation. So far this year we have held 16 regional workshops and global webinars with over 200 airlines taking part. Another seven hands-on workshops will take place over summer. 

"In addition, a suite of tools is available to help operators meet their obligations under CORSIA. I am confident that the industry will be ready to play its role in making CORSIA a success and contributing to our broader climate action plan. 

"Governments around the world must speed up their preparations as well.”

IATA’s director General and CEO, Alexandre de Juniac, echoed this message. 

Speaking at the global airline association’s annual meeting on Monday, he said: “The commitment to sustainability must be shared by governments. The 73 governments already signed on to CORSIA cover 88% of aviation. 

"We want more to join – ideally 100% coverage. It’s not just about signing-up. Under the leadership of ICAO, governments agreed to CORSIA as a universal measure to address aviation’s carbon footprint. 

"They must put all their efforts into honouring that commitment with a successful implementation.”

One key message from ATAG is that all airlines with international routes must prepare for implementation before the end of 2018. 

According to ATGAg, there is a misconception by some that only those airlines based in States which have volunteered to participate in the early phases of CORSIA need to do anything.