Resolution on the 35th session of the Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organisation ICAO, from 28 September to 8 October 2004

The European Parliament adopted by 316 votes to 20, with 206 abstentions, a resolution on the 35th Session of the Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), from 28 September to 8 October 2004 in Montreal.

The text adopted in plenary had been tabled as a joint resolution by the PES, ALDE, Greens/EFA and GUE/NGL groups.

The Parliament considers that the proposed amendment to resolution A33-7 of the ICAO Assembly, aimed at overall exclusion of international aviation from emissions levies, is unacceptable, notwithstanding existing ICAO guidance on the matter. It considers that this would be counterproductive when it comes to integrated environmental and transport policies and the EU would lose its rights to initiate legislation in this area.

The resolution supports the European Council, the Member States and the Commission in registering a reservation against excluding economic measures for developing a more sustainable aviation policy and urges the ICAO Assembly to reject the amendment.

Concerned about the rapidly growing impact of global emissions from air transport on climate change, the Parliament urges the representatives of EU Member States at the ICAO Assembly to press for urgent additional progress by the ICAO in aviation environmental protection measures, as regards:

• adoption of new, more stringent standards for NOx emissions;
• implementation of an international open emissions trading scheme;
• development and eventual introduction of international CO2 emissions-related levies.

MEPs take the view that the European Commission should have a seat in the ICAO Assembly.