Aircraft emissions standards agreed by ICAO

The standards will be applicable to all small and large aircraft, as well as new models and those in production

The first global standards to cut carbon dioxide emissions from commercial aircraft have been agreed.

The standards were recommended by 170 international experts on the UN’s International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) committee on Aviation Environmental Protection.

Once adopted by the ICAO governing council, the standards will be applicable to all small and large aircraft, as well as new models and those already in production.

The effect on aircraft design is not yet known – it will depend on how steep the required improvements are compared with current aircraft designs.

Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, president of the ICAO Council, said: “The goal of this process is ultimately to ensure that when the next generation of aircraft types enter service, there will be guaranteed reductions in international CO2 emissions.

“Our sector presently accounts for under 2% of the world’s annual CO2 emissions, but we also recognise that the projected doubling of global passengers and flights by 2030 must be managed responsibly and sustainably.”

The US government has estimated the new standards are expected to cut CO2 emissions by more than 650 million tons between 2020 and 2040.