We have expanded the list of climate policies we assess company engagement with to incorporate land-use related policy, referring to legislative or regulatory measures to enhance and protect ecosystems and land where carbon is being stored. Assessments under this category are currently underweighted in terms of their contribution to the overall company metrics. This weighting will be progressively increased over the next 6 months.
We adjusted the terminology used to describe the queries running down the left-hand side of our scoring matrix and added additional explanatory text to the info-boxes. This has no impact on the scores and methodology. It has been done following user feedback to improve clarity.
Climate Lobbying Overview: The International Coordinating Council of Aerospace Industries Associations (ICCAIA) appear to have mixed engagement with climate policy for aviation, primarily engaging with policy through ICAO. ICCAIA appears to support net-zero carbon emissions for aviation by 2050 and ICAO’s CORSIA and CO2 standard, alongside generally supporting policies incentivizing sustainable aviation fuels.
Top-line Messaging on Climate Policy: In 2020-22, ICCAIA appears to have positive top-line messaging on climate change. In a September 2020 Seminar, ICCAIA Chair, Eric Fanning, appeared to support a 50% reduction in carbon emissions by 2050 for international aviation. However, in October 2021, ICCAIA increased the ambition of this goal, by supporting net-zero carbon emissions from global aviation by 2050 in a joint declaration. ICCAIA further appear to advocate for ICAO to adopt a long-term aspirational goal (LTAG) of net-zero carbon emissions from international aviation by 2050 in an October 2021 twitter post. A joint working paper presented to ICAO’s High-level meeting on the LTAG by aviation industry associations, including ICCAIA, also advocated for a LTAG “in line with the Paris Agreement stretch goal of 1.5ºC”. Regarding climate change regulation, in a position statement and net-zero commitment from January 2022, ICCAIA advocated for a “supportive regulatory framework”, while an October 2021 joint declaration, signed by ICCAIA, supported government regulation if it doesn't include “uncoordinated taxes or restrictive measures”.
Engagement with Climate-Related Regulations: ICCAIA appears to have limited disclosure and engagement with climate-related policies in 2020-22. A working paper presented by ICCAIA to ICAO in July 2022, states support for ICAO’s global Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) and encourage states exempt from the mandatory phase to “commit to participation in CORSIA anyway.”
Evidence from a working paper presented by ICCAIA to ICAO’s high-level meeting on the LTAG in July 2022 indicates support for ICAO’s CO2 standard, as ICCAIA appeared to advocate for it to be implemented in national legislation. ICCAIA further supported the EPA’s implementation of ICAO’s CO2 standard in an August 2020 response to an EPA consultation, while advocating for exemptions for modified, in-service and smaller aircraft.
ICCAIA also appears to generally support policies promoting sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs). In a September 2021 press release, ICCAIA Chair, Jan Pie, advocated for policies incentivizing SAFs. A joint working paper presented by ICCAIA, alongside other industry associations, to ICAO’s high-level meeting on the LTAG in July 2022 further stated, “governments at a regional and national level should implement supportive policy environments for….sustainable aviation fuels”.
Positioning on Energy Transition: In ICAO’s 2022 Environmental Report, ICCAIA Chair, Jan Pie, stated that SAFs are the “most significant and immediate contributor to aviation carbon reductions”, while also supporting electric and hydrogen-powered aircraft. ICCAIA’s working paper, presented to ICAO’s high-level meeting on the LTAG in July 2022, also expressed support for SAFs and the electrification of aviation, while advocating for increased use of green hydrogen within transport. However, ICCAIA appeared supportive of supersonic planes, which use far greater quantities of fossil fuels than subsonic planes, in a February 2022 Reuters report.