Share | Print

GAMA Calls for Government Action to Support Aviation’s Sustainability Goals

GAMA NEWS 15-34 For Immediate Release: Sep 30, 2015

Washington, DC—The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) today joined with 27 other global aviation trade associations and company executives in calling on governments around the world to support the industry’s efforts to reduce CO2 emissions. Among other things, the group urged action at next year’s General Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to approve a meaningful market-based measure for global aviation emissions.

“The global general aviation manufacturing industry today joins with other sectors of the aviation industry in urging governments to implement measures that will ensure we achieve our common goal of improved efficiency and sustainability,” GAMA President and CEO Pete Bunce said. “We have issued ambitious efficiency goals and are working hard to achieve them, but we cannot do this alone. Today’s letter outlines the actions we expect governments and legislatures to take to ensure success.”

In the open letter released today at the Global Sustainable Aviation Summit in Geneva, Switzerland, industry leaders urged governments to undertake air traffic management reform and investment; to support research into new technology, operations, and sustainable alternative fuels; to improve intermodal transport planning; to adopt policies to make alternative fuels available commercially; and to agree at ICAO on a single, global carbon offsetting scheme to stabilize aviation emissions growth, as well as the first-ever CO2 emission standard for new aircraft.

Aviation industry leaders, including GAMA, and other stakeholders are meeting in Geneva under the auspices of the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG). The meeting takes place just 60 days before the Conference of the Parties (COP-21) climate negotiations in Paris under the UN’s Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and as work intensifies at ICAO to develop and adopt both a global market-based measure and a CO2 emission standard for aircraft at next year’s 39th General Assembly.

Notes:

• In 2009, GAMA and the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) made the following three commitments: 1) achieving carbon-neutral growth by 2020; 2) improving fuel efficiency by 2% per year until 2020, and; 3) reducing CO2 emissions by 50% by 2050 relative to 2005. For details, see http://www.gama.aero/media-center/press-releases/content/global-business-aviation-community-announces-commitment-climate-

• The open letter can be read at www.enviro.aero/openletter

• A report detailing case studies of current climate action projects is available through www.enviro.aero/climatesolutions

• The Air Transport Action Group is a coalition of organizations and companies throughout the air transport industry that drive the sustainable development of the air transport sector. www.atag.org

Communications Director:
Andre Castro: acastro@gama.aero
General Aviation Manufacturers Association
www.GAMA.aero
Headquarters: (+1) 202-393-1500
European Office: (+32) 2 550-3900

GAMA exists to foster and advance the general welfare, safety, interests, and activities of the global business and general aviation industry. This includes promoting a better understanding of general aviation manufacturing, maintenance, repair, and overhaul and the important role these industry segments play in economic growth and opportunity, and in serving the critical transportation needs of communities, companies, and individuals worldwide.