Climate Policy Engagement Analysis
Climate Policy Engagement Overview: The China Air Transport Association (CATA) has low engagement with climate policy in 2021-23. It does not support the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) and the 2050 net-zero emission target for aviation. However, it supports targets for sustainable aviation fuel, on-site electric vehicles, and renewable energy in China.
Top-line Messaging on Climate Policy: CATA has limited top-line communication on climate policy. In a September 2022 Statement on Positive Measures in the Field of Air Transport Environmental Protection CATA opposed the goal of net-zero carbon emission by 2050. InfluenceMap has found no evidence of engagement from CATA on the Paris Agreement and government policy on climate change.
Engagement with Climate-related Regulations: CATA has limited and positive engagement with specific strands of climate policy. In a January 2022 press release, CATA supported emissions trading for the aviation sector in China. In a policy proposal submitted at the Two Sessions in March 2022, CATA called for carbon emissions standards in the sector. In a January 2022 press release, it supported the 5% renewable target for aviation by 2025 and the consumption target of 50,000 tons of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) by 2025 in the 14th Five Year Plan for the Green Development of Civil Aviation. Similarly, at the 2022 Two Sessions, CATA directly advocated in support of SAF policies. However, in a September 2022 Statement on Positive Measures in the Field of Air Transport Environmental Protection, CATA opposed CORSIA.
Positioning on Energy Transition: CATA has communicated positively on the low-carbon energy transition. As reported by the Civil Aviation Administration of China in September 2022, the organization supported decarbonizing the aviation sector. In a January 2022 press release, CATA supported the on-site electric vehicle target for aviation companies in the 14th Five Year Plan for the Green Development of Civil Aviation. At the 2022 Two Sessions, CATA supported the increased use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs), with unclear positions on the scale and timeframe for the deployment of SAFs.