Environmental Leader

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) and the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) have agreed to a plan to help mitigate emissions caused by the business aviation sector.

The associations plan for a reduction in carbon emissions of 50 percent by 2050, when compared to 2005 levels.

That generally falls in line with a plan by the International Air Transport Association to reduce emissions by 50 percent by 2050.

GAMA and IBAC also have set a target to improve fuel efficiency 2 percent annually until 2020, at which point the sector hopes to have achieved carbon neutral growth, according to a press release.

“Business aviation manufacturers and operators will put forth a sustained effort to meet these targets,” said GAMA President and CEO, Pete Bunce. “But a strong partnership between industry and government is also absolutely necessary to achieve these goals.”

The two associations represent chiefly manufacturers and operators of private and business aircraft.

Larger commercial airlines also have been trying to determine their future regarding carbon emissions.

The Air Transport Association opposes a global tax on aviation emissions floated recently by a group of nations led by the Maldives.

Meanwhile, the EU has released a list of nearly 4,000 companies including commercial airlines, private jet operators and air forces around the globe that must reduce their emissions or face a European airport ban.