UNDP proposes new measures to green fast-growing aviation

UNDP called on Viet Nam’s civil aviation sector on May 12th 2016 to introduce new measures to meet the global goal of carbon neutral growth in aviation by 2020, including mobilizing finance for greening the industry.

Photo: UNDP

“With upwards of 35 million passengers a year, a small ‘green’ fee applied to every passenger ticket would generate a new source of targeted revenue to green the industry while sustaining its competitiveness,” suggested Mr Bakhodir Burkhanov, Deputy Country Director of the UN Development Programme (UNDP) in Viet Nam. “These funds can help co-finance, for example, the conversion to electric vehicles in all airport operations across the country; the scale-up of energy efficient technology in all airports; and the introduction of renewable energy to power the growing number of airports”.

Mr Burkhanov was addressing a consultation workshop held in Ha Noi this morning on the latest draft of Viet Nam’s Action Plan to reduce CO2 emissions in civil aviation (2016-2030). Participants in the workshop were representatives from the Ministry of Transport, Viet Nam Aviation Authority, airlines, airport authorities, UNDP, International Air Transport Association (IATA), the US Agency for International Development (USAID), as well as experts from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

With year-on-year growth of 14 percent, Viet Nam’s civil aviation sector is one of the fastest growing in the world. The aviation sector has been a key driver of Viet Nam’s overall economic progress. But rapid growth of the industry puts in jeopardy the achievement of Viet Nam’s targets to reduce its national CO2emissions. It is therefore critical to build a competitive, environmentally-responsible industry committed to addressing the climate change challenges of the 21st century.

During the workshop, Mr David White, ICAO expert, presented ICAO guidance on State Action Plans to reduce CO2 emissions in the aviation sector. Live from Indonesia, Mr Caesar Velarde, ICAO Senior aviation and environment expert, shared Indonesia’s experience and lessons learnt in Green Aviation.

(Source: CPV)