Climate Policy Engagement Analysis
Climate Lobbying Overview: General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) appears to engage with EU and US climate policy with mixed engagement in 2021-22. GAMA communicates top-line support for 2050 net-zero aviation emissions and the US sustainable aviation fuel-blenders tax credit. However, GAMA appears unsupportive of the EU’s Fit for 55 package and an EU kerosene jet fuel tax.
Top-Line Messaging on Climate Policy: In an October 2021 press release, GAMA appeared supportive of a 2050 net-zero carbon emissions target from business aviation. Similarly, in an October 2021 AIN Online article, GAMA CEO, Pete Bunce, supported the industry goal of net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050. Similarly, following ICAO’s 41st Assembly, Bunce expressed support for ICAO’s long-term aspirational goal of net-zero carbon emissions from international aviation by 2050 in an October 2022 press release. However, in a November 2021 EU consultation response, GAMA appeared unsupportive of the EU’s Fit for 55 package and advocated for a ‘global impact study’ to assess the package’s “fallout” on business aviation. In two other November 2021 EU consultation responses, GAMA reiterated this position and further appeared to suggest the package would weaken the industry and delay decarbonization. A November 2021 EU consultation response further appeared to leverage support for incentives and subsidies to oppose taxation of business aviation.
Engagement on Climate-Related Regulations: In 2021-22, GAMA appeared supportive of policies incentivizing SAFs. A May 2021 joint letter, signed by GAMA, applauded the introduction of a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)-blenders tax credit under the Sustainable Skies Act, stating “we wholeheartedly support your bill”. An April 2022 joint letter, signed by GAMA, further described a SAF-blenders tax credit as “the most important action Congress can take to support the decarbonization of the aviation sector”. GAMA further appeared to support the US SAF-blenders tax credit and the Renewable Fuel Standard in a May 2022 joint letter. Similarly, in a May 2022 written testimony to the US Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, GAMA CEO, Pete Bunce, stated support for the SAF-blenders tax credit alongside Georgia’s Aviation Emissions Reduction Opportunity (AERO) Act which would establish a grant program for SAFs and other low-emissions technology. Bunce’s support for the AERO Act appeared to be reiterated in a November 2021 press release. Bunce also communicated support for SAF tax incentives and provisions incentivizing the development of hydrogen under the Inflation Reduction Act in an August 2022 press release.
Following the publication of the ReFuelEU Aviation legislation in July 2021, a joint letter, signed by GAMA, stated it was “encouraged” by the initiative, indicating support for an EU SAF mandate. GAMA also appeared to advocate for the inclusion of non-union airports under the ReFuelEU Aviation initiative to avoid the exclusion of business aviation in a November 2021 EU consultation response, however, GAMA did not state a clear position on SAF mandates. A second November 2021 EU consultation response advocated for tax incentives and a book-and-claim system for SAFs, but did not disclose a clear position on SAF mandates.
GAMA CEO Pete Bunce also advocated for the US Environmental Protection Agency to adopt ICAO’s CO2 standards for aircraft into US legislation in a May 2022 written testimony to the US Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Positioning on Energy Transition: In 2021-22, GAMA appeared to support a transition away from fossil-based jet fuel, advocating for increased use of SAF in a November 2021 EU public consultation response. GAMA also appeared to support electric and hydrogen-powered aircraft in a November 2022 tweet. Similarly, in an April 2021 Euractiv Op-ed article, GAMA Chairman, Nicolas Chabbert, expressed support for SAFs with “immediate prioritisation of advanced biofuels and increasing shares of synthetic fuels over time”, alongside electric and hydrogen technologies.
In contrast, GAMA appeared to oppose measures to transition the energy mix in 2021-22. In a November 2021 EU consultation response, GAMA opposed an EU jet fuel tax, emphasizing cost, competitiveness and fuel tankering concerns. Additionally, an October 2022 joint letter to policymakers, signed by a GAMA Senior Executive, opposed flight bans for business aviation, stating “we are very concerned with such an approach that would be detrimental both to our sector’s decarbonization strategy and our essential role in provisioning point-to-point air mobility and connectivity”.