The International Air Transport Association (IATA), alongside the governments of Japan, Malaysia, and leading global aviation stakeholders, issued a powerful Joint Statement at COP30, calling on governments and the international community to reassert the leadership of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and accelerate unified climate action to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
The signatories emphatically stated that ICAO remains the exclusive and essential forum for addressing international aviation emissions, cautioning that unilateral or fragmented national measures would undermine the industry’s ability to deliver effective climate results.
The joint statement outlines four critical areas for immediate government action:
Reaffirm ICAO’s Central Role: The statement urges all States to uphold ICAO’s authority, as established under the UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol, as the sole body for regulating international aviation emissions, and to avoid duplicating mechanisms in other international processes.
Strengthen CORSIA Implementation: Signatories called for the robust implementation of the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), a cornerstone of the 2050 net-zero goal. CORSIA is expected to generate USD $4–5 billion through 2026, and nearly $2 billion in credits through 2035, directly mobilizing high-quality, independently verified climate finance, especially for developing countries.
Urgent Operationalization of Article 6: Governments must urgently operationalize Article 6 of the Paris Agreement and issue Letters of Authorization (LoAs) to enable the release of CORSIA-Eligible Emissions Units (EEUs). This is crucial for unlocking international climate finance and supporting sustainable development.
Reject Fragmented Taxes and Levies: The statement cautions that national taxes and levies are not effective climate instruments. They risk diverting funds away from genuine emission-reduction investments, weakening global connectivity, and disproportionately harming developing economies and Small Island States.
Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, emphasized the urgency of a unified approach: “Aviation is a catalyst for global connectivity and economic development. To achieve net zero emissions by 2050, governments must reaffirm ICAO’s role as the single global authority, fully implement CORSIA, and operationalize Article 6 to unlock climate finance for developing nations. Fragmented taxes and levies will not cut emissions—they risk diverting funds from actual emission-reduction investments, which is a critical climate consideration, and will only weaken connectivity and harm those who depend on it most.”
This unprecedented show of unity includes key governments and a vast coalition of global aviation stakeholders:
Governments: Japan, Malaysia
Industry: Airlines for Europe (A4E), Arab Air Carriers Organization (AACO), Airports Council International (ACI), Air Transport Action Group (ATAG), Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA), African Airlines Association (AASA), Association of South Pacific Airlines (ASPA), and others.
