Air Transport

Members of the International Civil Aviation Organisation's Group on International Aviation and Climate Change (GIACC) will research fuel efficiency goals, and examine mechanisms for achieving that efficiency and how to measure progress.

"The real positive on this was consensus that everyone is willing to work toward an efficiency goal in the short term. There was a lot of interest in a carbon neutral growth goal in the mid-term," said Nancy LoBue, the USA's formal GIACC representative and Federal Aviation Administration deputy assistant administrator for aviation policy, planning and environment, following the group's second meeting on 14-16 July in Montreal

A working group will consider topics such as operational issues, biofuels and market-based measures, and will be advised by ICAO's Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection. Another topic up for discussion is the role and responsibility of developing countries versus developed countries in regards to emissions.

The 15-member GIACC is tasked with making recommendations in 2009.