The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) has welcomed the announcement by EU Climate Action Commissioner, Connie Hedegaard, on November 12 to suspend the inclusion of international aviation in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) and to allow the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to press ahead with creating a global solution for managing aviation's carbon emissions.

'The announcement by Commissioner Hedegaard that she is to suspend the inclusion of international aviation in the EU ETS is a very welcome and pragmatic move and a strong signal that the Commission is intent on working with international partners to achieve a global agreement on reducing aviation CO2 emissions,' said Michael Steen, TIACA's Chairman.

The EU's decision, he continued, reflects the growing recognition by governments, global and regional regulators and industry of the importance of collaboration on key issues such as security and the environment.

TIACA's view has always been that the EU should work with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to realize sustainable aviation initiatives. The Kyoto Protocol designated ICAO as the body with authority to set international aviation's greenhouse gas policy.

The Association's view is shared by its fellow members of the Global Air Cargo Advisory Group (GACAG), which described ICAO's commitment to produce a proposal to regulate global airline emissions as 'a vital step forward that must be supported by the aviation industry and international governments.'

In correspondence with Commissioner Hedegaard at the end of 2011, TIACA outlined its concerns over the Emissions Trading Scheme and said ICAO should be allowed to fulfil its mandate to set a global emissions standard for aviation. In a letter of response to TIACA's Chairman, the Commissioner stated: 'The EU is very much in favour of a global approach to aviation emissions and has been working in ICAO to achieve this for many years' we remain committed to fully support global action so as to limit aviation's climate change impacts and developing our economies sustainably. We are willing to work with The International Air Cargo Association and others to this end.'

Michael Steen added: 'It is heartening to see the Commission now pursuing such actions in order to enable ICAO to build on the strong progress to date in developing a global framework for emissions reduction. We encourage all parties to work diligently to reach a global agreement, without regional discrimination. We look forward to a timely development of such an agreement and to a continued pragmatic and flexible approach from all sides.'