The International Air Transport Association has issued a joint statement at COP30 with the governments of Japan and Malaysia on 19 November 2025.
Signatories urged reaffirmation of the International Civil Aviation Organization’s leadership for net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
The statement called for strengthening the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation approved by 193 member states. Airlines expected to purchase over 200m credits in the first phase from 2024 to 2026 generating €3.7 to €4.6bn.
The group cautioned against taxes and levies that risked diverting funds from emission-reduction investments. The signatories of the joint statement are:, The governments of: Japan and Malaysia, Airlines for Europe (A4E), Arab Air Carriers Organisation (AACO), Airports Council International (ACI), Airlines International Representation in Europe (AIRE), Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA), African Airlines Association (AASA), Association of South Pacific Airlines (ASPA), Air Transport Action Group (ATAG), European Regions Airline Association (ERA), International Business Aviation Council (IBAC), International Coordinating Council of Aerospace Industries Associations (ICCAIA), National Airlines Council of Canada (NACC), World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC)
Willie Walsh shared “Aviation is a catalyst for global connectivity and economic development. To achieve net zero emissions by 2050, governments must reaffirm ICAO’s role as the single global authority, fully implement CORSIA, and operationalize Article 6 to unlock climate finance for developing nations. Fragmented taxes and levies will not cut emissions—they risk diverting funds from actual emission-reduction investments, which is a critical climate consideration, and will only weaken connectivity and harm those who depend on it most.”
