The Virgin Blue Group of Airlines is the first Australian operator to join a growing list of airlines and international non-profit The Climate Group, (collectively, the Aviation Global Deal Group – AGD), working to develop a way of tackling aviation emissions as part of a global deal on climate change.

The AGD Group is an expanding group of airlines seeking to develop a standardised, industry-based recommendation on a mechanism for tackling CO2 emissions from international aviation as part of a new global climate change deal to be agreed in Copenhagen in December.

The AGD Group’s proposal, which was shared with climate change negotiators at a UN side event in Bonn, Germany, in April, marked the first time that aviation sector companies have made direct recommendations to UN climate change officials on how their sector’s CO2 emissions should be accounted for. The AGD Group expects to release its draft proposal publically at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) Climate Change Talks taking place in Bonn next week.

The proposal is gaining growing support from a range of aviation stakeholders, including those in developing countries who recognise the need for aviation to play its part.

The Virgin Blue Airlines Group believes that the AGD Group’s initiative is important in helping to support the industry-wide efforts of the International Air Transport Association (IATA); as well as the work of the UN’s International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), which has responsibility for developing an intergovernmental response for the sector.

Virgin Blue Airlines CEO Brett Godfrey said his company, which includes Virgin Blue, V Australia, Pacific Blue and Polynesian Blue, is committed to continuous improvement and sustainable aviation practices.

“Already we are pursuing initiatives across a wide range of our operations to offset the impact of our emissions and to limit emissions at source. We believe there is a limit to what individual airlines can achieve and it makes sense to work together globally with like-minded organisations to seek a uniform and integrated approach to international policy on aviation’s contribution to climate change.

“Aviation is a global cross-border industry. The last thing we need is a patchwork of national policies imposing conflicting or contradictory requirements on airlines,” he said.

Rupert Posner, Australian director of The Climate Group, said:

“It is extremely encouraging to see one of the leading players in Australia join the Aviation Global Deal Group. This announcement demonstrates the growing momentum that is building behind the group’s work.

“By coming to the table to discuss constructive ideas on how international aviation should be included in the next global climate deal, the Virgin Blue Group, along with the group’s other airlines, are demonstrating commendable leadership on this issue. This type of engagement will be essential in helping Australia and the world transfer to a low carbon economy.”

Virgin Blue will join existing AGD Group members – Air France – KLM, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Qatar Airways, Virgin Atlantic, airport operator BAA, and international NGO The Climate Group – when they make further recommendations to the UN in June.

The AGD Group has consulted various government, industry and NGO stakeholders on their proposals over the 9past months and has received wide-spread support for its approach.