Eco-Aviation Channel

Finnair, Qatar join Global Deal Group

By Geoffrey Thomas
Eco-Aviation Today, May 18, 2009, p.5

Finnair and Qatar Airways have joined the Aviation Global Deal Group that was launched in February to take leadership of the climate change debate and develop a global policy for tackling aviation emissions. Air France KLM, British Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways, Virgin Atlantic Airways, airport operator BAA and international nongovernmental organization The Climate Group formed the organization to present a united front to fast-track an industry response and last month presented their ideas during a UNFCCC session in Bonn. Attendees at the ATW-Leeham Co. Eco Aviation Conference in Washington May 26-28 will hear a presentation on the AGD from Virgin Atlantic Corporate Sustainability and Responsibility Manager Sian Foster.

The group wants to develop a global agreement covering emissions that can be part of a post-Kyoto deal to be negotiated in Copenhagen in December and advocates an international body be set up to administer the system. Rather than a go-it-alone approach, it supports the work of IATA, which also seeks a global solution on the issue, and ICAO. The latter's Group on International Aviation and Climate Change is due to submit its report to the ICAO Council at the end of June. AGD Group is working toward finalizing its own recommendations in June as well.

Commenting on Finnair's decision to join, VP-Sustainable Development Kati Ihamaki said: "In order to actually achieve emissions reductions in aviation, an emissions trading deal must be global. A deal covering only certain airlines or certain geographical areas distorts competition and potentially encourages less eco-efficient operating procedures such as intermediate landings in nonoptimal locations outside the emissions trading area." Qatar Airways Manager-Environment and Fuel Optimization Chris Schroeder added that "as one of the fastest-growing airlines in the world, we have a responsibility to ensure that our carbon footprint remains as low as possible."

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