Some twenty European associations representing the various branches of the “aviation ecosystem in Europe” - airlines, airports, navigation service providers, manufacturers, tour operators, etc. - as well as a number of environmental and consumer organisations published, on Monday 16 November, a report and a declaration detailing their common proposals for a “sustainable revival” of the aviation sector.
The industry recognises the need for greater efforts to achieve “a balance between the environmental, social and economic impacts” of its activity and commits to a target of zero net CO2 emissions from all flights in and out of the EU by 2050.
Provided, however, “the right policies are put in place”, they write, calling on European leaders to approve an “EU Pact for Sustainable Aviation” by the end of 2021.
The latter, the signatories believe, should make it possible to establish a political framework and the financial support mechanisms needed to achieve this climate objective.
The declaration suggests, for example, that the Pact should act to establish a European legislative framework on sustainable aviation fuels, an environmental incentive scheme for fleet renewal and public co-financing for civil aviation research and innovation.
“The EU should temporarily increase the ATM research partnership and SESAR deployment funding rates to 100% for aviation stakeholders”, the organisations stress .
Finally, they consider it necessary for the Pact to have a social dimension and recall the importance of “making effective use” of social dialogue structures.
The declaration thus advocates safe working conditions, ensuring a work-life balance “with a view to attract and retain skilled workers and closing the gender gap in certain professions within the aviation sector”.
See the statement and report: https://bit.ly/3lA640N (Original version in French by Agathe Cherki)