Already carbon dioxide emissions from international aviation and shipping together account for at least 6% of the global total. Closely associated with globalisation, both sectors’ emissions have increased rapidly since 1990 and are forecasted to double or even triple, in the case of aviation, by 2050.
Yet, despite their evident significance, in terms of avoiding the temperature thresholds set out in the Paris Agreement, they will not appear on the COP26 agenda.
This presentation will seek to explain the historical and institutional reasons for this and the way in which governance has been delegated to two well established international organisations, the ICAO and IMO. Both have failed to respond adequately to exhortations to act over the last three decades and have now, belatedly, begun to experiment with offsetting (CORSIA) and schemes for technical improvement and monitoring. Of particular interest is the sustained attempt by the EU, against fierce opposition, to introduce emissions trading into both sectors, where bunker fuels continue to be free of tax.
This talk will be given by Professor John Vogler from Keele University
This event has been organised by the Yorkshire and North East committee.