Brussels, 28/10/2009 (Agence Europe) - The AeroSpace and Defence Industries Association (ASD) has reacted strongly to the decision taken by the last Environment Council concerning the reduction of emissions from the aviation sector (see EUROPE 10003). The decision, which is part of the EU's stance for the global climate conference in Copenhagen, provides for the aeronautics sector to reduce its emissions, by 2020, by 10% compared to the year 2005. The industry, which is making massive investment in the research/development of new clean technologies, considers the Council's decision is too costly and over-ambitious. It also entails the risk of compromising the objectives that the aeronautics sector had set itself during the high level meeting on international aviation and climate change within the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation). During this meeting, held in Montreal from 7 to 9 October with a view to preparing the Copenhagen conference, the international aeronautics industry grouped within the ICCAIA (International Coordinating Council of Aerospace Industries Associations), airports grouped within the Airports Council International (ACI) and the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO) presented their own short, medium and long term environmental objectives. They aim to improve carbon dioxide emission rates by 1.5% on average annually by 2020 (CO2 emissions being calculated on the tonne/kilometre carried basis), to stabilise emissions from the sector as of 2020 and to reduce, by 2050, the level of emissions by 50% compared to 2005. “These objectives are both extremely ambitious and achievable. They are also progressive (…). The game-changing technologies which Europe's aircraft and engine manufacturers are developing today will be progressively introduced in airline fleets, and they will deliver their full potential over the 2020-2050 timeframe. Before that the EU should refrain from setting too ambitious targets, which can only be met by adding huge costs to airlines' operations”, said François Gayet, ASD Secretary General and President-in-Office of ICCAIA. (A.By./transl.jl)