China denounces UN aviation emissions plan in blow to industry efforts
- The participation of China, which had initially showed its support, is seen as critical for the deal
- Aviation leaders under pressure to act after overall carbon emissions hit record highs last year
In a paper posted ahead of the UN aviation agency assembly that kicked off on Tuesday, China – once a critical early supporter of the 2016 UN plan – joined Russia in arguing the proposal would unfairly penalise emerging and developing countries because it raises costs.
The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), which holds its assembly every three years in Montreal, set out the major climate initiative at its last full gathering in 2016, but aviation leaders are under pressure to do more after overall carbon emissions hit record highs last year.
Commercial flying accounts for about 2.5 per cent of global carbon emissions, and its share of emissions is expected to rise as air travel becomes accessible to more travellers.
Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, who inspired a flight-shaming protest movement against aviation, is expected to join a protest march on Friday in Montreal.