Airlines vow to halve carbon emissions by 2050

[Turborama]

Source: Guardian

Exclusive: Industry will offer cut at climate change summit to avoid tougher action

Dan Milmo, transport correspondent

The aviation industry will tomorrow make a dramatic pledge to slash carbon dioxide emissions in half by 2050 in a move that will force up air fares and spark a green technology race among aircraft manufacturers.

The British Airways chief executive, Willie Walsh, will unveil an agreement between airlines, airports and aircraft companies to cut emissions to 50% below 2005 levels by 2050. In a bid to seize the initiative from environmental groups clamouring for higher taxes on the industry, the plan will be presented to world leaders at the United Nations forum on climate change in New York.

Airlines have been accused of dragging their heels over climate change, but the strategic shift reflects industry concerns that it could be ambushed at the global warming summit in Copenhagen in December if it does not address its growing emissions.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cif-green/2009/sep/21/copenhagen-summit-climate-change">Writing in the Guardian, climate change secretary Ed Miliband says he is haunted by the possibility that politicians will fail to reach a global climate deal. Calling for a new urgency and spirit of co-operation in the negotiations, he writes: "The fate of every nation on earth hangs on the outcome of Copenhagen. It is too important to play the cards-close-to-your-chest poker games that marked diplomacy of the twentieth century."

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/sep/21/airlines-carbon-emissions-cut

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41 years could still be seen as 'dragging their heels', it's a hell of a long time frame they've given themselves.