Global Aviation Demands Unity: Industry Leaders Call for Stronger Cooperation at COP30

At COP30 in Belém, Brazil, the world’s leading aviation and Travel & Tourism bodies — WTTC and IATA — together with the governments of Japan, Malaysia, and a coalition of major industry associations, issued a powerful joint statement urging governments to accelerate coordinated action toward net-zero emissions in international aviation by 2050.

They reaffirmed that ICAO is the sole global authority for regulating international aviation emissions under the frameworks of the UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol. Fragmented, unilateral climate measures — particularly taxes — risk undermining decarbonisation, reducing connectivity and diverting funds away from real emissions-reduction investments.

ICAO’s Central Role

The joint statement emphasises that aviation’s transition to net zero depends on a unified global framework. ICAO has the legal and technical mandate to coordinate global action, and duplicating mechanisms across other international processes would weaken progress.

CORSIA as the Backbone of Aviation’s Climate Path

CORSIA remains a cornerstone of global decarbonisation:

— From 2024–2026 airlines will purchase over 200 million credits valued at USD 4–5 billion.
— Nearly 2 billion credits are expected to be offset through 2035.
— By 2027 CORSIA will cover 85% of international aviation emissions.
— Total finance generated could exceed USD 120 billion by 2035.

These funds will support high-quality, independently verified climate projects, especially in developing economies.

Accelerating Article 6 Implementation

The signatories call for urgent progress on operationalising Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. Host countries must begin issuing Letters of Authorisation to release CORSIA-eligible credits, unlocking climate finance for low-carbon development.

Taxes Are Not Climate Solutions

The statement warns that emerging aviation taxes and solidarity levies do not reduce emissions — they merely generate revenue. They also:

— Restrict connectivity,
— Limit economic opportunities,
— Harm regions dependent on air transport, including developing nations and small island states.

IATA Director General Willie Walsh stressed:

“Fragmented taxes do not cut emissions. They only weaken connectivity and divert funds from real decarbonisation investments.”

Aviation as the Backbone of Global Tourism

WTTC highlights that the Travel & Tourism sector cannot function without competitive and accessible air transport. Rising taxation would ultimately hurt travellers, businesses and economies.

WTTC Interim CEO Gloria Guevara said:

“We need scalable, practical solutions — not climate taxes that shift costs onto travellers.”

Conclusion

International Investment analysts conclude that the joint statement represents a turning point: the aviation sector is signalling that fragmented national policies threaten both climate goals and global mobility.

Key insights:

Without unified regulation, aviation faces a patchwork of incompatible rules, increasing costs and reducing accessibility.

CORSIA must remain the single global standard, avoiding duplication and financial inefficiencies.

Over-taxation will constrain global tourism, disproportionately affecting emerging markets and tourism-dependent economies.

Innovation — not taxation — will drive decarbonisation, including SAF expansion, fleet modernisation and route optimisation.

Aviation’s climate future depends on cooperation, not fragmentation. And the decisions made after COP30 will determine whether the world stays connected — or becomes more divided.