The International Air Transport Association (IATA), alongside the governments of Japan and Malaysia and major aviation stakeholders, issued a joint statement at COP30 calling on world leaders to reinforce the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)’s central role in coordinating global climate action for aviation.
The coalition urged governments to accelerate efforts to help the sector achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
The signatories stressed that ICAO must remain the exclusive forum for addressing international aviation emissions, warning that fragmented national or regional policies could undermine climate progress. They emphasized that global solutions—rather than unilateral measures—are essential for effective and equitable decarbonization across the sector.
A key theme of the statement is the importance of robust international carbon markets in driving climate finance, a top issue on the COP30 agenda and a core element of the Baku-to-Belem Roadmap.
“Aviation is a catalyst for global connectivity and economic development,” said Willie Walsh, IATA Director General. “To achieve net zero emissions by 2050, governments must reaffirm ICAO’s role as the single global authority, fully implement CORSIA, and operationalize Article 6 to unlock climate finance for developing nations. Fragmented taxes and levies will not cut emissions—they risk diverting funds from actual emission-reduction investments and will only weaken connectivity and harm those who depend on it most.”
Key Points from the Joint Statement
ICAO’s central role reaffirmed:
The statement underscores ICAO’s authority—established under the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol—as the sole organization responsible for regulating international aviation emissions. Governments are urged to avoid duplicating mechanisms in other international processes and to support ICAO’s leadership.
Strengthening CORSIA implementation:
All governments are called on to reinforce the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), adopted by all 193 ICAO member states. During CORSIA’s first phase (2024–26), airlines are expected to purchase more than 200 million carbon credits—generating an estimated USD 4–5 billion. The volume of offsets is expected to rise sharply, with nearly 2 billion credits projected through 2035. These funds will support high-quality, independently verified emissions-reduction projects, particularly in developing countries, advancing the goals of the Paris Agreement.
Urgent rollout of Article 6 mechanisms:
The statement urges host countries to operationalize Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, issue Letters of Authorization, and enable the release of CORSIA-Eligible Emissions Units. These steps are described as vital to mobilizing climate finance and supporting sustainable development.
Taxes and levies deemed ineffective:
The signatories warn that proposals such as international ticket taxes are not effective climate tools and could reduce the aviation sector’s ability to invest in real emissions-reduction measures. They argue such policies would disproportionately harm developing economies and Small Island States by constraining air connectivity.
The joint appeal comes as global aviation faces mounting pressure to accelerate decarbonization while balancing economic and social needs. The coalition’s message at COP30 is clear: only coordinated global action can deliver meaningful climate results for a sector that depends on worldwide alignment.