Environmental Leader

Air fares will rise as the global aviation industry chases down its goal of halving emissions by 2050, a move the International Air Transport Association announced at the UN Climate Talks Sept. 22.

The goal is to reduce net CO2 emissions 50% as compared to 2005 levels, reports the Guardian. This comes on top of a previous commitment to make aviation industry growth carbon-neutral by 2020.

The association, which represents 230 airlines comprising 93 percent of scheduled international air traffic, is also striving for a 1.5 percent average annual improvement in fuel efficiency through 2020.

Here is the joint industry paper (PDF) that the airlines are presenting to the United Nations.

The projected higher fares will come as a result of the higher cost of adopting newer, more sustainable and energy efficient airplanes and related technologies.

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