Aviation
Coronavirus: plane-free skies spur research into warming impact of aviation
As the Covid-19 pandemic response hits air traffic, scientists seize the opportunity to study how planes’ contrails trap heat in the atmosphere
Airlines urge UN body to ease climate goals for 2020s as traffic collapses
Airlines’ trade association says current plans to offset greenhouse gas emissions from a 2019-2020 baseline would put an ‘inappropriate economic burden on the sector’
Governments urged to attach green strings to long-term coronavirus recovery plans
UN says Paris climate agreement and sustainable development goals should guide recovery beyond massive stopgap measures needed to combat coronavirus
Putting the brakes on – Climate Weekly
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Coronavirus may toughen airlines’ goals for curbing emissions in 2020s
Coronavirus likely to lower a key 2019-20 baseline for average aviation emissions that will force more carbon offsets if flights rebound in 2020s
UK’s Heathrow airport expansion ruled unlawful over climate change
Three judges ruled the plans illegal because they failed to take into account the UK’s commitment to the Paris Agreement
EU emissions scheme excluded from UN aviation offsets
UN aviation body rules that the impact of flying will be minimised using a single market system, excluding Europe’s carbon market and placing EU members under pressure
Aviation’s black box: Non-disclosure agreements, closed doors and rising CO2
CHN investigation discovers “heavy handed” methods used to restrict access to information at the International Civil Aviation Organisation
Ban flying to UN climate talks? That’s a dangerous idea
After Greta Thunberg sailed to a UN meeting in New York, some called for all climate diplomats to do the same. That would only disadvantage the most vulnerable
Marseille airport expansion stalled on climate grounds
France’s environment authority asked the developers to show how increased flights can fit with the country’s 2050 net zero emissions target
Good climate strategy does not include airport expansion
Despite declarations of ‘climate emergency’, city-level strategies are turning a blind eye to aviation’s growing greenhouse gas emissions
Greta Thunberg to sail to New York climate summit in racing yacht
Swedish teen activist will cross the Atlantic in hurricane season by boat for a four-month tour of the Americas, rather than take a high-carbon flight
France announces tax on air travel in climate push
A proposed levy of €1.50-18 on each outbound flight comes as part of a climate strategy, with France pushing the EU to follow suit
EU ‘climate leaders’ plans found lacking
Finland, Sweden, Portugal, France and Germany praised for ambitious targets, but NGO analysis raises questions over details
‘Fake news’: UN aviation body blocks online climate critics
The International Civil Aviation Organization is dismissing factual critiques and blocking accounts that raise concerns about the climate change impact of flying
UN aviation body agrees to close carbon emissions loophole
Rules to avoid double-counting of emissions cuts are a step forward, say campaigners, but more assurances are needed to meet the sector’s climate promises
EU must not blindly sign up to a weak aviation carbon market
As countries negotiate rules for offsetting airline emissions in Montreal, Brussels should reserve its right to impose stronger regional policies
Airlines eye massive carbon handout
Brazil and China behind push to allow billions of tonnes of old carbon credits to be used to offset future growth in pollution
Supersonic, super-rich, super-polluting: the next generation of business jets
Hundreds of extra fast jets could be flying over Europe within ten years, but documents show the EU preparing to cede oversight of their huge CO2 emissions
Transparency is essential to make aviation climate deal work
As countries write the rules for airlines to offset their emissions growth, they must make sure there is no double-counting