It's no secret that aviation has come under a good deal of scrutiny and criticism over its impact on the environment. The flight-shaming phenomenon and proposals for a Green New Deal -- which would reduce and/or even replace air travel with other modes of transport -- have been in the news around the world, not just in Europe and the United States where they originated.
What's less well-known, is the fact that environmental sustainability has always been high on the aviation industry's agenda. Today's aircraft emit 50% less carbon monoxide and 90% less smoke and unburned hydrocarbons than jets made 50 years ago. Carbon emissions from the average trip are actually half of what they were in 1990.
Moreover, since 2008, the entire industry, including airlines, airports, equipment manufacturers and air navigation service providers, has agreed to reduce carbon dioxide (CO²) emissions -- which accounts for 2% of all human-generated CO² -- by capping net emissions from 2020, before cutting them in half by 2050, compared to 2005 levels.
In 2016, members of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), a specialised body of the United Nations devoted to civil aviation, agreed to the vision of carbon neutral growth from 2020. The mechanism to achieve it is the Carbon Offset and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (Corsia).
At the recently completed 40th ICAO Assembly, member nations reconfirmed their commitment to Corsia. In addition, ICAO will now start looking at a long-term aspirational goal to cut emissions -- so governments and industry will be aligned.
These are momentous developments for the environment, for everyone who flies and for the aviation industry. Demonstrating a commitment to sustainability is critical to earning the licence to grow. And without growth, the aviation industry cannot spread its many economic and social benefits. This is particularly important in developing nations, where access to air connectivity is crucial to 15 of the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Simply put, flying is freedom; and that freedom continues to spread. This year, travellers can choose from of 22,375 unique city pairs connected by air. That's more than double the number that were available in 1998. Flying is also becoming cheaper and more accessible to more people. The average return fare in 2019 (before surcharges and taxes) is forecast to be 61% lower than in 1998, after adjusting for inflation.
Young people in emerging economies have opportunities to travel which their parents could only have dreamed of at the same age. Travellers can also fly with confidence, because aviation is the safest form of long-distance travel the world has known to date. Aviation makes globalisation possible, and globalisation leads to economic development. Since 1990, globalisation has lifted one billion people out of poverty. And the more people have the freedom to fly, the greater the benefits will be for the entire world.
As with any human activity, there is an environmental cost to flying, but the enemy is not the aviation industry -- carbon is. By capping emissions, it is forecast that Corsia will mitigate around 2.5 billion tonnes of CO² and generate over US$40 billion (about 1.2 trillion baht) in climate finance between 2021 and 2035. And the industry is not sitting still.
The aviation industry has also taken the lead in identifying, testing and certifying sustainable alternative fuels, which we believe can reduce our carbon footprint by 80%. We have proved that they work. Now, we need governments to come up with supportive policies to revitalise the sustainable fuels industry.
It is our duty to protect the planet from the disastrous impacts of climate change. Some say that the answer is to stop, or heavily reduce flying. That would have grave consequences for people, jobs, and economies the world over. It would be a step backward to an isolated society that is smaller, poorer and constrained.
Flying has made the world a better and freer place and we are committed to sustainably making it better and freer still.
Alexandre de Juniac is the director general and CEO of the International Air Transport Association (IATA). IATA's 290 member airlines represent 82% of global air traffic.