Aviation emissions targeted in New Zealand climate change plan

New Zealand's emissions trading scheme (ETS) will be the world's first major ETS to include airlines, Transport and Associate Climate Change Minister Simon Bridges said Thursday.

Bridges was announcing the release of New Zealand's plan to address emissions from air travel and its submission to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

The New Zealand Aviation Emissions Reduction Action Plan outlined current and planned measures to address aviation emissions and covered four key parties: government, air traffic control, airports and airlines, Bridges said in a statement.

"Transport accounts for around 17 percent of New Zealand's emissions and the government is doing a number of things to reduce this, including tackling aviation emissions," Bridges said.

"Our key response to climate change is the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme, which was the world's first major ETS to affect airlines," he said.

"We're also addressing the environmental impacts of aviation through economy-wide emissions targets, by promoting biofuels and renewable electricity, and with research on passenger and freight trends that helps inform public and private sector planning."

A range of other initiatives, such as voluntary carbon offsetting and the introduction of efficient new aircraft would also play valuable roles in addressing aviation emissions.

New Zealand was also set to join an international agreement addressing emissions from air travel.

"While international aviation is not included in the recent Paris Agreement, the government has flagged its intention to voluntarily join a global measure under development by the ICAO," said Bridges.

"New Zealand will support the ICAO Global Measure Resolution and participate from Phase I, which commences in 2021, provided other developed countries and the majority of major aviation states also agree to do so." Endit