Decarbonizing Aviation Study Notes

Decarbonizing Aviation Presented by: Dr Antigoni Lykotrafiti (CCLS/QMUL) Date: April 1, 2021 Milestones In Addressing International Aviation's Emissions - 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) - UNFCCC commitments predicated on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities - 1998 Kyoto Protocol to the UNFCCC - Territorial scope of the Protocol confined within national borders (emissions produced domestically). - The Kyoto Protocol and aviation: - "The Parties shall pursue limitation or reduction of emissions from aviation by working through the International Civil Aviation Organization". - 33rd ICAO Assembly (2001): endorsed the development of an "open emissions trading system" for international aviation. - 6th meeting of the ICAO Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (2004): agreed that an aviation-specific emissions trading system based on a new legal instrument under ICAO auspices "...seemed sufficiently unattractive that it should not be pursued further". - 35th Assembly session (2004) → Resolution A-35-5: ICAO Member States called on to "refrain from unilateral implementation of greenhouse gas emissions charges". - 36th Session of ICAO Assembly resolved that its Member States should abstain from implementing an Emissions Trading Scheme on other Member States' aircraft operators except on the basis of mutual agreement. - Directive 2008/101/EC including international aviation in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme - The EU as a "norm entrepreneur"? - Case C-366/10, Air Transport Association of America (ATA) et al v. UK, ECR 2011 р. 1-13755 - 2015 Paris Agreement - 39th session of ICAO Assembly (2016): Resolution A 39-3: establishment of a Global Market Based Measure to offset CO2 emissions from international aviation: - Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) - The European Green Deal (2019): making Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050 (no net emissions of greenhouse gases in 2050) - - Sustainable and smart mobility strategy (2020): • By 2030: high-speed rail traffic will double • By 2035: zero-emission large aircraft will become ready for market • By 2050: high-speed rail traffic will triple Basket of measures for aviation: • Renewable fuels (Re Fuel EU Aviation initiative) • Standards for the design and operation of aircraft (Airbus) • Disruptive technologies (Horizon Europe) • Air Traffic Management (Single European Sky) Covid-19, Aviation And The Environment - €7 billion of urgent liquidity support to Air France authorized by the European Commission - Environmental commitments by Air France • Reduction of domestic flights on routes of less than 2h30 where a rail alternative exists • 50% reduction in the volume of CO2 emissions on flights in mainland France by the end of 2024 • 50% reduction in CO2 emissions per passenger and per km by 2030 • Target of 2% sustainable alternative fuels incorporated into the fuel tanks to be achieved by 2025 • - Future investments must be directed towards long and medium haul journeys "France has also announced plans for certain green policy choices as regards Air France. Good. Member States are free to design measures in line with their policy objectives and EU rules" (Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager). Flight Shaming: Really? - Is it good for total welfare? Producer welfare (competition between low-cost carrier business model and hug-and-spoke business model) & consumer welfare (business travelers v. leisure travelers). - Positive-sum outcome: combatting climate change without curbing growth. - Flying is synonymous with freedom!