Representatives of the 193 member countries gathered for the montreal-based assembly reached "a historic agreement on an ambitious long-term collective goal of carbon neutrality by 2050," the organization posted on Twitter.

"It's an excellent result," a European diplomatic source told AFP, specifying that "only four countries, including China, have expressed reservations."

The role of air transport is fundamental in the climate crisis. Currently accounting for between 2.5% and 3% of global CO2 emissions, the sector finds it difficult to switch to renewable energy, even though the aviation industry and energy companies are working hard to do so.

The International Air Transport Association (Iata) said airlines are being "strongly encouraged" to adopt the climate target, a year after the organization endorsed the same position at its own general meeting.

"We expect much stronger policy initiatives in key areas of decarbonization, such as encouraging sustainable aviation fuel production capacity," said Iata Managing Director Willie Walsh.

According to the airlines, creating a carbon-free aviation implies an investment of R$ 8 trillion between 2021 and 2050.

"The global aviation community welcomes this historic agreement," said Luis Felipe de Oliveira, director of the International Airport Council, which represents 1,950 airports in 185 countries. "This is a turning point in the effort to decarbonize the aviation sector, as governments and industry are now moving in the same direction, with a common political structure."

Non-binding agreement

The agreement, however, fell short of satisfying some non-governmental organizations, who regretted the fact that it had not gone far enough and is not legally binding.

Airplanes attract particularly harsh criticism because only about 11% of the world's population flies each year, according to a widely cited 2018 study. In addition, half of airline emissions come from the top 1% of travelers, he said.

"This is not the time for the Paris aviation agreement. Let's not pretend that a non-binding target will reduce aviation's carbon emissions to zero," said Jo Dardenne of the NGO Transport and Environment.

The activist also expressed disappointment at the adjustments considered by delegates to the sector's carbon reduction and compensation program, known as Corsia. During the 10-day meeting, Russia also sought, but failed, enough votes to be re-elected to the un organization's governing council, which is responsible for ensuring compliance with aviation regulations.

Moscow has been accused of violating international rules by not returning hundreds of planes it rented, as required by sanctions imposed after the invasion of Ukraine in February. This was icao's first General Assembly since the beginning of the covid-19 pandemic, which brought the aviation industry to the financial limit.

Em 2021, o número de passageiros aéreos foi apenas metade dos 4,5 bilhões de 2019, um aumento de 60% em relação a 2020. O setor espera em 2022 atingir 83% de seu número de passageiros de três anos atrás e voltar a ser lucrativo em 2023.

Source: Nova Cana