|
ENVIRONMENT
BRANCH
Improving the environmental performance of aviation is a
challenge ICAO takes very seriously. In fulfilling its responsibilities,
the Organization developed a range of standards, policies
and guidance material for the application of integrated measures
to address aircraft noise and engine emissions embracing technological
improvements, operating procedures, proper organization of
air traffic, appropriate airport and land-use planning, and
the use of market-based options.
All of this has contributed to aircraft operations that today
can be 70% more efficient than in the 1970s.
In 2004, ICAO adopted three major environmental goals, to:
- limit or reduce the number of people affected by significant
aircraft noise;
- limit or reduce the impact of aviation emissions on local
air quality; and
- limit or reduce the impact of aviation greenhouse gas
emissions on the global climate.
The ICAO Council also adopted Strategic Objectives, with
high priority given to environmental protection, while the
new Business Plan asserts the Organization's status as the
leading international organization pursuing unified and coordinated
measures to reduce civil aviation's impact on the environment.
ICAO's activities in the environment field are primarily
focused on those problems that benefit most from a common
co-ordinated approach, on a worldwide basis, namely aircraft
noise and the impact of aircraft engine emissions.
Most of this work is undertaken through the ICAO Council's
Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP), which
consists of Members and Observers from States, intergovernmental
and non-governmental organizations representing aviation industry
and environmental interests.
A Consolidated Statement of continuing policies and
practices related to environmental protection is revised
and updated by the Council every three years for adoption
by the ICAO Assembly. The present version, Assembly Resolutions
A37-18 and
A37-19, were adopted in October 2010.
ICAO maintains close relations with other UN policy-making
bodies that have expressed an interest in civil aviation,
notably with the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change, to which it provides
regular statements on ICAO's emission-related activities.
|
