The United Nations proposed an emissions pact, which was a global deal, to limit carbon emissions from global civil aviation. The proposal was first submitted as mandatory, however recent discussions reveal the proposal may be voluntary for certain countries for the first five years.

The Issue

Facing an October deadline, countries are having difficulty agreeing on the metrics that would oblige participants to be included. The scheduled meeting at the end of September will have United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) will be under pressure to finalize a deal that will cap the carbon pollution of all international flights at 2020 levels.

Unregulated carbon pollution from aviation is the fastest growing source of the greenhouse gas emissions gas driving global climate change, according to Aviation Emissions Solutions. The problem will only worsen as air travel demand increases.

The Solution

In the Paris Agreement, the first global plan to curb climate change impacts, require nearly all countries to limit their increase in global temperatures. The goals cannot be achieved it the aviation industry does not do its part to reduce emissions. Cue the UN’s Aviation Emissions Pact. However, if this pact is not mandatory then many countries are not likely to meet the pact’s requirements. Even though one source from the Asian member state of ICAO said many countries were receptive to a voluntary first phase. The market-based plan must receive favor from 191 member states of the ICAO in their Montreal meeting. If they don’t they could risk the European Union breaking off talks and imposing their own emissions trading plans on international airlines.

Sources:
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-climatechange-aviation-idUSKCN1102GG
http://www.businessinsider.com/r-exclusive-un-aviation-emissions-pact-may-be-voluntary-at-first—sources-2016-8
http://www.worldwildlife.org/initiatives/cutting-aviation-pollution