OTTAWA, June 4, 2012 /CNW/ - The Honourable Steven Fletcher, Minister of State (Transport) and the Honourable Peter Kent, Minister of the Environment, today announced the release of Canada's Action Plan to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Aviation. The announcement was made at the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum as part of Environment Week.
"This Plan is good for the economy and good for the environment. It brings together the joint efforts of the aviation industry to increase fuel efficiency, reduce environmental impacts and protect the long-term health of Canadians," said Minister Fletcher. "We are working together to reduce aviation emissions and lower fuel costs."
"We have a plan and continue to make progress on reducing Canada's GHG emissions," said Minister Kent. "We are one-quarter of the way towards meeting our Copenhagen target."
Canada's Action Plan was developed by the Government of Canada and the Canadian aviation industry to increase efficiency and improve environmental performance in the aviation sector.
The Action Plan sets out specific measures to improve fuel efficiency and includes commitments from the Government of Canada, the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada, the Air Transport Association of Canada, the Canadian Airports Council, the Canadian Business Aviation Association, the National Airlines Council of Canada and NAV CANADA.
The Action Plan will contribute to meeting Canada's clean air goals and forms the basis of Canada's response to the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) Assembly Resolution A37-19.
The Action Plan aims to improve fuel efficiency by an average of at least 2 per cent per year until 2020, which will help Canada's target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 17 per cent from 2005 levels by 2020.
The 2 per cent goal is in line with ICAO's global targets and will be achieved through specific measures, such as fleet renewal and upgrades, more efficient air operations, and improved air traffic management.
The Resolution, adopted in October 2010, set voluntary goals for international aviation emissions and encouraged Member States to submit national action plans by June 2012 outlining their respective policies and actions.
The Action Plan builds on the success of the world's first voluntary Memorandum of Understanding between Transport Canada and Canadian airlines to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from aviation, which has been in place since 2005. The agreement set a goal of a 1.1 per cent average annual improvement in fuel efficiency for each year to 2012, a cumulative improvement of 24 per cent, from a 1990 baseline. The Air Transport Association of Canada and the National Airlines Council of Canada report annually on progress achieved under terms of the agreement. As of 2010, the industry has achieved a 1.9 per cent average annual fuel efficiency improvement since 1990, or a 31 per cent cumulative improvement, surpassing the objectives of the agreement. For more information on this, please refer to Transport Canada's website at http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/programs/environment-ecofreight-air-annualreport2010-2851.htm
Further information about Canada's Action Plan to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Aviation as well as views from industry partners can be found in the attached backgrounders. To view the complete Action Plan please visit Transport Canada's website at http://www.tc.gc.ca/aviation-emissions/
Backgrounder
Canada's Action Plan to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Aviation
The aviation industry and the Government of Canada have developed Canada's Action Plan to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Aviation. This Action Plan brings together the collaborative efforts of the aviation industry, from airlines and airports to air navigation services and manufacturers, in order to effectively address greenhouse gas emissions from the sector.
The Action Plan sets an aspirational goal to improve fuel efficiency from a 2005 baseline by an average annual rate of at least 2 per cent per year until 2020. To help achieve this goal, the Action Plan identifies three key measures that are expected to have the greatest impact:
- Fleet Renewals and Upgrades - Retiring older airplanes and bringing newer, more efficient airplanes into service is expected to lead to an average annual fuel efficiency improvement of 0.7 per cent between 2005 and 2020.
- More Efficient Air Operations - Canadian airlines undertaking more efficient air operations is expected to lead to an average annual fuel efficiency improvement of 0.2 per cent between 2005 and 2020.
- Improved Capabilities in Air Traffic Management - The shift from sensor-based to performance-based navigation is expected to enable improvements in average annual fuel efficiency by 1 to 2 per cent between 2005 and 2020.
It also includes additional measures that will contribute to achieving increased efficiency, such as alternative aviation fuels, airport ground operations, and infrastructure use.
With respect to international aviation, the Action Plan forms part of Canada's response to the request by the International Civil Aviation Organization for Member States to submit action plans on how they are addressing international aviation emissions. For more information on this, please refer to the International Civil Aviation Organization website at: http://www.icao.int/environmental-protection/Pages/action-plan.aspx.
VIEWS OF CANADA'S AVIATION INDUSTRY ON CANADA'S ACTION PLAN TO REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS FROM AVATION
On June 4, 2012, representatives of Canada's aviation industry shared their views about the Action Plan and the specific measures and commitments they will make to support the Action Plan's fuel efficiency goals.
Aerospace Industries Association of Canada
Jim Quick, president and CEO
"Developing greener technologies is a key priority for the aerospace industry in Canada. We must tackle the challenge of reducing fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions together, and this Action Plan provides a blueprint for the Canadian aerospace and aviation industries to work collectively on making a difference on this important issue.
AIAC's members are active in the research and development of green technologies, and they are committed to designing more eco-efficient aircraft, systems and technologies. The AIAC is proud to act as a signatory to this Action Plan, and we look forward to working with the government and our fellow partners on achieving the reductions outlined here today."
Air Transport Association of Canada
John McKenna, president and CEO
"In 2005, ATAC provided the necessary leadership to develop and sign the MOU with Transport Canada to pro-actively reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions from airline members' aircraft, a worldwide first! We are very proud of the excellent record since 2005 where ATAC members have not only met the commitments agreed to within the MOU but have bettered the GHG reduction targets each year! ATAC and its members look forward to continuing to work cooperatively with our government and industry partners on this environmentally responsible stewardship."
Canadian Airports Council
Daniel-Robert Gooch, president and CEO
"Canadian airports are doing their part to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the aviation carbon footprint in Canada. This Action Plan represents a positive collaborative initiative by the Government of Canada and the aviation industry in facing this challenge."
Canadian Business Aviation Association
Sam Barone, president and CEO
"The Canadian Business Aviation Association (CBAA) commends the Government of Canada for partnering with the Canadian aviation sector to develop the Action Plan", said Sam Barone, President and CEO of the CBAA. Barone added "the business aviation community is committed to doing its part to ensure Canada achieves its climate change goals."
National Airlines Council of Canada
George Petsikas, president
"The National Airlines Council of Canada (NACC) is proud to partner with the Government of Canada in this ground-breaking initiative to curtail greenhouse gas emissions. Building on the success of the world's first voluntary agreement to address greenhouse gas emissions from aviation, the Action Plan is an excellent example of industry and government working together to achieve meaningful results.
The NACC believes that a cooperative approach to reducing emissions is required. As evidenced by the outstanding results achieved under previous agreements with the Canadian Government, it is clear that a multi-pronged and collaborative approach is the most effective solution. We look forward to working with the federal government to reach an agreement at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for a global sector approach as a way to truly address the international nature of aviation emissions."
NAV CANADA
John W. Crichton, president and CEO
"Through our investment in advanced technology and the implementation of new air traffic procedures NAV CANADA has already effected considerable reductions in GHG emissions, amounting to 6.6 million metric tons of emissions avoided between 1997 and 2010. One of our corporate objectives is to identify and where feasible, introduce measurable benefits which contribute to the reduction of the environmental footprint of the aviation industry. We look forward to continuing to work with our industry partners to build on past achievements and on future initiatives to meet the targets set out in Canada's Action Plan."
June 2012
Brayden Akers
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Steven Fletcher
Minister of State (Transport), Ottawa 613-991-0700
Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055
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This news release is available online at: www.actionplan.gc.ca.
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