What is the story about?
What's Happening?
A report by InfluenceMap has revealed that the UN International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is heavily influenced by industry interests, with industry delegates outnumbering climate experts by 14 to one at a recent meeting. The report criticizes ICAO's climate policies as weak and driven by the self-interest of powerful aviation industry members. The lack of transparency and closed-door meetings give an advantage to groups opposing serious climate action. ICAO's climate policy is deemed 'critically insufficient' by Climate Action Tracker, aligned with over 4C of global heating.
Why It's Important?
The dominance of industry interests in ICAO's decision-making processes undermines efforts to address aviation's significant carbon emissions. As aviation is a major contributor to climate change, effective policies are crucial for reducing emissions and meeting global climate targets. The report calls for a course correction to prioritize public interests and science-based policies, ensuring that aviation contributes to climate action rather than hindering it.
What's Next?
ICAO's upcoming assembly will review progress and determine next steps for its long-term strategic plan, which includes net zero emissions by 2050. The report may prompt discussions among stakeholders to increase transparency and accountability in ICAO's processes. Advocacy by environmental groups and civil society could influence ICAO's policies and drive meaningful climate action in the aviation sector.
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