Airlines for America is strongly encouraging members of the International Civil Aviation Organization to adopt a carbon offsetting system. The global carbon offset proposal compensates for any failures to meet the carbon neutral growth 2020 deadline.

“We join our colleagues in the Air Transport Action Group, the United States government and governments around the world in supporting the package that has been proposed as a complement to technology, sustainable alternative aviation fuels, operations and infrastructure measures to help international aviation meet the globally agreed goal of carbon neutral growth from 2020. The global carbon offsetting system for international aviation would be the first sector-specific market-based measure to be agreed on a global basis — further cementing international aviation’s long-standing commitment to climate leadership. We urge the ICAO Member States to adopt the package as proposed,” said Nancy Young, vice president, environmental affairs, Airlines for America.

Since 1978, U.S. airlines saved more than 4 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions, leading the world’s aviation industry and improving fuel efficiency by 120 percent. The emissions reduction is equal to eliminating 23 million cars each year. In 2015, the airlines carried 24 percent more passengers than in 2000, but emitted 6 percent less CO2. The impressive changes are possible through investments of billions of dollars in the latest aircraft technology. Currently, commercial aviation in the United States creates 2 percent of the country’s manmade greenhouse gas emissions.

“U.S. airlines are proud that our business model aligns with environmental interest — and has for decades. The initiatives that our airlines are undertaking to further address emissions are designed to responsibly and effectively limit our fuel consumption, GHG emissions contribution and potential climate change impacts, while enabling commercial aviation to continue serving as a key driver to the U.S. economy,” added Young.