UK pushes for tougher airline-emissions goals at COP26 summit

The UK is leading a push to get more countries to sign up to net-zero goals in aviation as part of the COP26 climate talks later this month. The International Aviation Climate Ambition Coalition is a new group of countries aiming for emissions cuts in the industry, and will be launched in Glasgow, Scotland, according to an official program. COP26 President Alok Sharma said on Wednesday he hopes for more announcements on aviation at the summit. The coalition will comprise states “that want to meet the challenge of net zero for aviation, and are encouraging all states to do the same,” the program says. It plans “an ambitious and comprehensive declaration on aviation emissions.” The UK is leading the drive, according to people familiar with the situation. The effort would pave the way for the adoption of tougher carbon goals at the next ICAO assembly in September 2022. Pressure has been building to stiffen targets set via ICAO, a United Nations agency through which international aviation agreements are coordinated. This month, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called for making more ambitious and credible ICAO emissions targets “an urgent priority.” <br/>