Take-off Toolkit: Acting on Aviation Emissions

The document argues that international aviation emissions grew by over 75% between 1990 and 2012 and could increase by up to 300% by 2050 under a business-as-usual scenario. It critiques the ICAO's proposed global market-based mechanism (GMBM), specifically the 'carbon neutral growth 2020' goal, for lacking binding targets and sufficient environmental standards for offset credits. Carbon Market Watch recommends that the GMBM include a mandatory target to limit warming to 1.5°C, a review clause every three years, and a 'negative list' to ban low-quality offset projects such as large hydro and REDD+. The toolkit urges NGOs to lobby governments and airlines ahead of the 39th ICAO General Assembly in October 2016 to ensure transparency and environmental integrity in the aviation sector's climate response.

• International aviation emissions grew by more than 75% from 1990 to 2012, and in 2014, the sector's CO2 emissions exceeded the combined emissions of the 129 lowest emitting countries, representing 4.9% of annual global warming.
• Under a business-as-usual scenario, aviation emissions are projected to increase by as much as 300% by the year 2050.
• The ICAO's proposed global market-based mechanism (GMBM) aims for 'carbon neutral growth 2020', but currently relies on an aspirational, non-binding goal that lacks agreed-upon treatment for exempt states and a mechanism to increase ambition over time.
• Current GMBM standards for offset credits are non-binding 'guidance', leading to risks of greenwashing; Carbon Market Watch recommends mandatory credit quality criteria and a 'negative list' to ban projects like REDD+, large hydro, and fossil fuel projects.
• The ICAO process is characterized by secrecy and a lack of transparency, with environmental coalitions like the International Coalition for Sustainable Aviation (ICSA) being significantly outnumbered by airline companies and manufacturers.

APA

Carbon Market Watch (2016). Take-off Toolkit: Acting on Aviation Emissions. https://carbonmarketwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Take-Off-Toolkit_Final2.pdf

Chicago

Carbon Market Watch. Take-off Toolkit: Acting on Aviation Emissions. 2016. https://carbonmarketwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Take-Off-Toolkit_Final2.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Carbon Market Watch |title=Take-off Toolkit: Acting on Aviation Emissions |date=2016 |url=https://carbonmarketwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Take-Off-Toolkit_Final2.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{carbonmarketwatch2016takeoff, author = {{Carbon Market Watch}}, title = {{Take-off Toolkit: Acting on Aviation Emissions}}, institution = {Carbon Market Watch}, year = {2016}, url = {https://carbonmarketwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Take-Off-Toolkit_Final2.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }