The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA), together with the governments of Japan, Malaysia and a coalition of leading industry stakeholders, have issued a joint statement at COP30 calling on governments to accelerate coordinated action to achieve net zero carbon emissions from international aviation by 2050.

The signatories have also emphasised that ICAO remains the exclusive global forum for regulating international aviation emissions under the long-established frameworks of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol.

They warn that fragmented or unilateral measures risk undermining climate progress, weakening connectivity and diverting resources away from genuine emissions-reduction investment.

Gloria Guevara, WTTC Interim President & CEO, said: “Travel & Tourism relies on a strong and competitive aviation system. WTTC does not support new climate taxes that push costs onto travellers and add unnecessary pressure on the sector. What we need are practical, scalable solutions that accelerate decarbonisation and expand access to climate finance. Aviation is the backbone of global travel and we should have a focus on measures that strengthen its ability to connect people and support economies.”

Willie Walsh, Director General of IATA, said: “Aviation is a catalyst for global connectivity and economic development. To achieve net zero emissions by 2050, governments must reaffirm ICAO’s role as the single global authority, fully implement CORSIA, and operationalize Article 6 to unlock climate finance for developing nations. Fragmented taxes and levies will not cut emissions. They risk diverting funds from actual emission reduction investments, which is a critical climate consideration, and will only weaken connectivity and harm those who depend on it most.”

Key points from the joint statement

ICAO’s central role

 The joint statement reaffirms ICAO as the exclusive forum for regulating international aviation emissions. Its mandate under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol provides the legal and technical framework for coordinated global action.

The signatories call on all States to uphold ICAO’s leadership and avoid duplicating mechanisms across international processes.

Strengthening CORSIA

 CORSIA remains a cornerstone of the sector’s decarbonisation pathway. In the First Phase from 2024 to 2026, airlines are expected to purchase upwards of 200 million credits, generating US$ 4–5 billion. The scheme is projected to offset nearly 2 billion credits through 2035. These funds will support high-quality, independently verified emissions-reduction projects, with particular benefit for developing economies.

CORSIA is projected to cover at least 85 percent of international aviation emissions by 2027 and to generate over USD 120 billion in climate finance between 2024 and 2035.

Accelerating Article 6 implementation

 The signatories call for urgent progress in operationalising Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. Host countries are encouraged to issue Letters of Authorisation and enable the release of CORSIA-eligible emissions units, which are central to mobilising climate finance and sustaining investment in low-carbon development.

Taxes and levies are not climate solutions

 The joint statement cautions that taxes and levies, including proposals from emerging coalitions such as the Global Solidarity Levy Task Force, are not designed to reduce emissions. Their primary function is revenue generation. Such measures risk curbing connectivity, constraining economic opportunities and disproportionately affecting developing economies and small island States that rely on air transport as an essential economic lifeline.