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An environmentally-responsible industry

The environment is one of our top priorities, along with safety and security.  Airlines are working constantly to limit their climate change impact, emissions and noise. IATA helps them do so.

Building a greener future

We have a vision (pdf)  for our industry to achieve carbon neutral growth in the medium term and to build a plane that produces no emissions within 50 years. Although complete solutions are not available today, building blocks, such as new materials and designs, alternative fuels, solar power and hydrogen fuel cells already exist.

We are working with the whole industry, including manufacturers, airports, air navigation and others to turn this vision into reality. We are reducing emissions through our four-pillar strategy:

• Investing in technology
• Improving operational efficiency
• Building and using efficient infrastructure
• Positive economic instrument to provide incentives

Great improvements

Airlines have improved fuel efficiency and CO2 performance by 14% over the past 10 years. They will continue to improve, by investing in new aircraft and enhancing operations.
   
Thanks to technology, today's aircraft are 50% quieter than 10 years ago.  
Local air quality around airports will benefit from new technologies reducing nitrogen oxides 80% by 2020. 

Preparing for emissions trading in Europe

Virtually all airlines with operations, to, from and within the European Union will come under the scope of the EU’s emissions trading scheme from 2012. Airlines are required to monitor CO2 and traffic data from 2010. More information on emissions trading in Europe and what is required from airlines.