Fact Sheet: Environment

IATA’s vision is to achieve carbon neutral growth in the medium term and in the long term for air transport to become an industry that does not pollute - zero emissions.

Air Transport’s Environmental Track Record

  • Air transport’s contribution to climate change is small
  • 2% of global CO2 emissions, forecast to grow to 3% by 2050 (IPCC)
  • Total climate change impact (including radiative forcing and other greenhouse gases) is 3%, forecast to grow to 5% by 2050 (IPCC)
  • All modes of transport combined account for 23% of CO2 emissions of which
    • Road 74%
    • Air transport 12%
  • Air transport is fuel efficient
    • Average new aircraft consumes 3.5 litres per passenger per 100 kms
    • Target fuel consumption for the Airbus A380 and Boeing 787 compares with a small family car - less than 3 litres per 100 pkm
  • Air transport has a track record of continuous improvement
    • 70% less fuel and CO2 emissions per pkm compared to 1970s
  • IATA member airlines achieved their goal for a 10% improvement in fuel efficiency (and CO2 emissions) between 2000 and 2010 ahead of schedule in 2006. Improved fuel efficiency by over 3% in 2006 and 2007 alone
  • IATA forecasts 25% reduction in fuel consumption per RTK 2005 to 2020

IATA’s Four Point Strategy to Address Climate Change

1. Technology

  • Driver of progress
  • Short term: enhancements and modifications to existing in-service fleet, including drop-in alternative fuels 
  • Medium term: accelerate fleet renewal, introduce latest technologies
  • Long term: radical new technologies/designs

2. Operations

  • Improved operations can save fuel and CO2 by up to 6% (IPCC)
  • IATA helps fuel conservation by compiling best practices, publishing guidance, visiting airlines and training (via Green teams)
  • IATA will raise environmental standards by extending fuel conservation programmes and promoting airline environmental management systems
  • IATA’s efforts to shorten routes and optimise procedures in 2007 saved 10.5 million tonnes of CO2

3. Infrastructure

  • Governments and infrastructure providers could eliminate up to 12% of CO2 emissions by addressing airport and airspace inefficiencies.
  • IATA calls on governments to cut inefficiencies in half over next 5 years, saving 35 million tonnes of CO2
  • Implement Single European Sky, US Next Gen Air Transport System & flexible airspace access.

4. Economic measures

  • We need financial incentives (tax credits, direct funding) to boost research into new technology
  • Adding costs to the industry through taxes does nothing for the environment
  • Emissions trading could be a better solution, as part of a package along with technology, operations and infrastructure
  • Provided the emissions trading scheme:
    • Is an open and voluntary scheme
    • Does not cause competitive distortions
    • Is harmonised with ICAO’s global guidelines
    • That the industry doesn’t face taxes and charges as well
  • Chicago Convention excludes international services from fuel tax

IATA’s proactive strategy for fuel efficiency saved 10.5 million tonnes in CO2 emissions and US$2.1 billion in 2007

  • IATA’s work with governments in 2007 shortened 395 air route/airspace movements
    • Saved up to 3.8 million tonnes of CO2 emissions
    • Netted US$831 million in cost savings
  • IATA Green Teams work directly with airline operations departments to share industry best practices. In 2007: 
    • Saved 6.7 million tonnes of CO2
    • US$1.34 billion

IATA’s 2008 Target

  • Save at least 6 million tonnes of CO2  via operations and infrastructure improvements

Updated: August 2008
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