Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 December 2021
178. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Transport the nature of Ireland’s engagement with the International Civil Aviation Organization in relation to reduction in international civil aviation emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60129/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Convention on International Civil Aviation (the Chicago Convention) adopted in 1944, established a framework of rules and best practice for the operation of civil aviation internationally, It also established the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), an agency of the United Nations charged with coordinating and regulating international air transport. Ireland is a signatory to the Chicago Convention and the Convention was given effect in domestic law through the Air Navigation and Transport Act, 1946.
In relation to reducing international civil aviation emissions, Annex 16 of the convention deals with Environmental Protection. The Council of ICAO develops Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) for implementation by the signatory States. Whilst SARPs are not mandatory, their development usually leads to changes in domestic, or in Ireland’s case, EU law which is then enacted in national legislation. ICAO’s sustainability strategy includes four main pillars including aircraft technology improvements, operational improvements, sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), and market-based measures (CORSIA). EU policy is broadly derived from this basket of measures.
EU Member States coordinate positions around the development of policy at ICAO level. In practice this entails the adoption of common EU positions at the ICAO Council and the Triennial Assembly. Some of the recent EU Fit for 55 proposals such as the ReFuelEU Initiative, which aims to increase the use of SAFs across the Union, and the Revision of the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) for Aviation Directive which will incorporate CORSIA (ICAO’s global emission reduction and offsetting scheme) and the EU’s Emission Trading System (ETS) are reflective of the EU’s interpretation of the ICAO Basket of Measures.
Ireland, along with all other EU Member States, has opted to participate in CORSIA from the pilot phase beginning in 2021. This process involves reporting emissions data and offsetting requirements for Irish airlines directly to ICAO by the Department of Transport through an online system known as the CORSIA Central Registry (CCR). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for CORSIA data collection from airlines and the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) has responsibility for much of the technical environmental reporting to ICAO.
Whilst Ireland for the most part develops its policy response to ICAO with EU partners, it is also a member of ABIS, the joint representation to ICAO of Ireland, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Switzerland. ABIS experts contribute to much of the work undertaken by ICAO panels, committees and study groups. Currently the Netherland holds the ABIS chair and the ABIS representative is a member of ICAO’s Council and participates in the Climate and Environment Committee (CEC) of the Council.
ICAO contracting states are invited to submit a State Action for Aviation Emissions Reduction every two years. Ireland last submitted this plan in 2019 and will submit the latest iteration by year’s end. Again, much of this plan comprises common measures that are taken at EU level.
