Air travel's a very major source of the greenhouse gasses', that cause climate change. The UN Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP) meets every 3 years, to address issues related to aircraft emissions and noise. Its parent body, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is sponsored by large fossil fuel companies and airlines. Critics feel the ICAO has been 'captured by its sponsors' in order to go slow on efforts to efforts to reduce aircraft carbon emissions. Many of this parent body's meetings have had a strong industry bias, with very few 'green' delegates. The next CAEP meeting starts today. Little public information has been made on its agenda or its key participants. It's in marked contrast to the UN's climate body (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/feb/14/industry-influence-un-aviation-body). The ICAO enthusiastically forecast a doubling of air passenger numbers by 2042. It claims that more efficient aircraft, 'sustainable' fuels and its own offsetting scheme will control the consequent carbon emissions. Independent experts doubt these measures can offset the huge traffic growth. Experts also maintain that aviation growth must be curbed if climate targets are to be met. Is the next CAEP meeting being rigged to favour the ICAO line? Surely, they wouldn't be influenced by their sponsor's money?
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