Climate change negotiations during the 39th Session of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Assembly have achieved positive results, adopting the two important documents of “Consolidated statement of continuing ICAO policies and practices related to environmental protection – Climate change” and “Consolidated statement of continuing ICAO policies and practices related to environmental protection – Global Market-based Measure (MBM) Scheme” on October 6 (Montreal time, Canada), which marked the formation of the first global market-based mechanism adopted by an industry to curb emission. Relevant person in charge from CAAC indicated that the resolution was a rather inclusive document, which basically accommodated core concerns of relevant parties’ and it did not come easily. The resolution represents not only an important milestone in the international negotiations over aviation emission reductions, but also positive attempts to promote the green development of international air transport. China has made important contributions to the establishment of an inclusive, fair, reasonable and feasible global emission reduction framework for international aviation.

It is learned that the resolution on market-based mechanism adopted at the 39th Session of the Assembly is aimed to curb the increase of greenhouse gas emission from international aviation through the carbon offsetting scheme, and will be implemented in three phases from 2021 to 2035, including the pilot phase (2021-2023), the first phase (2024-2026) and the second phase (2027-2035). Participation in the pilot and first phases is voluntary with developed countries taking the lead, and the second phase will include all countries whose individual global share in international aviation activities in RTKs exceeds 0.5% or whose cumulative share in the list of States from the highest to the lowest amount of RTKs reaches 90% of total RTKs. Responsibilities for carbon offsetting will be allocated according to average growth rate of the industry, and the proportion of countries shouldering offsetting responsibilities according to their individual growth rate will be properly increased after 2030, which in general reflects the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities between developed and developing countries. The resolution also emphasizes that assistance should be provided to countries, especially to developing countries, to help them participate in the scheme, and its implementation process and impact should be assessed every 3 years.

According to relevant person in change from CAAC, ICAO climate change negotiations started in 2007, with core topics discussed covering emission reduction targets, responsibility differentiation, market-based mechanism and assistance to developing countries. Since 2014, ICAO has been making full efforts to advance the design of the mechanism and scheme in relation to climate change; and China, taking the same position as always, has been striving to protect the rights and interests of developing countries to develop themselves, and urging developed countries to take their historical responsibilities. Results achieved from the two summit meetings between Chinese and American state leaders in 2016 provided significant political driver for relevant negotiations in ICAO. Meanwhile, China also suggested that ICAO and other relevant parties learn from the successful experience of the Paris Agreement, incorporate the core concepts of post-2020 global climate governance into the international aviation negotiations over market-based measures, and take a pragmatic attitude in addressing concerns of different countries, so as to achieve positive results that all parties would agree on. China’s proposals received support from the vast majority of the countries, and have provided a feasible path for parties in finding the common understandings.

During the 39th Session of ICAO Assembly, in an effort to contribute to the success of the Assembly Session, the Chinese civil aviation delegation carried out close consultations with the Chairman of the ICAO Assembly, the President of the ICAO Council and relevant countries, actively looking for solutions that accommodate concerns of various parties. China received appreciation from the Assembly Chairman, Council President and other conference participants for its positive contributions and great sincerity.

The person in charge from CAAC also said that China is willing to take on responsibilities that go with its developing stage and capabilities, and has been actively controlling and reducing its own aviation energy consumption and emission and participating in relevant international cooperation. From 2011 to 2015, civil aviation in China promoted and implemented over 1200 energy-saving and emission reduction projects of eight categories, investing nearly 13.5 billion yuan in total (excluding new aircraft purchase). In 2015, civil aviation in China consumed 0.294 kg of fuel per ton-kilometer, down by 13.5% compared with 2005. In May 2016, China officially submitted a new version of national action plan to the Secretariat of ICAO, which demonstrated to the international community China’s determination and efforts in promoting green development of civil aviation. Currently, civil aviation in China has incorporated green development into the industry’s mid-term and long-term development plans, taking administrative, technical and market approaches to actively advance the energy conservation and emission reduction work, so as to construct an environmentally friendly and resource-conserving modern civil aviation industry that features a four-pronged development in safety, efficiency, service and environmental protection.