The two international groups, FIATA, the former known as the "architects of transport", and CLECAT, representing the interests of more than 19,000 companies employing more than a million staff in logistics, freight forwarding and customs services, announced that they are pleased that the ICAO reached a decision on a mechanism to reduce aviation emissions in Montreal at ICAO's 38th Assembly.

The ICAO agreed to come up with a global market-based measure for international aviation for implementation from 2020. The aim is to have "carbon neutral growth from 2020 and halving emission by 2020 based on 2005 levels."

Jean-Claude Delen, FIATA's immediate past president, noted that the international freight forwarding industry is pleased that the airline industry will ultimately come up with market-based measures to incentivize emissions abatement while maintaining a level playing-field in what is a strongly competitive international industry.

This industry is in need of a consistent and accurate standard for monitoring, verification and monitoring of carbon emissions, Delen said.

He added: "This agreement is an important step and we do expect that the aviation industry, like any other industry continues to seek for emissions reductions through improved technology, operations and alternative fuels to reduce emissions."

Nicolette van der Jagt, director general of CLECAT, said: "The resolution creates, however, uncertainty regarding the future of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). For us, any application of the European Union should, as a matter of principle, avoid discrimination and unfair competition among the airlines. Therefore, we urge the EU to clarify its intention regarding the EU ETS."

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