Aviation and the Global Atmosphere

Aviation and the Global Atmosphere
Aviation and the Global Atmosphere
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10.2. Institutional Framework
10.2.1. International Civil Aviation Organization
Other reports in this collection
Because of the international nature of aviation and the need to promote international standards of safety, regulation of air transport is harmonized on a worldwide basis
as much as possible through ICAO, a UN specialized agency established in 1944 under the Convention on International Civil Aviation (the "Chicago Convention")
(ICAO, 1997a). With the technical support of states and the aviation community, ICAO has developed international standards and recommended practices for aviation.
These standards and practices are attached as annexes to the Chicago Convention and are considered binding. However, if any state finds it impossible to comply
with them, the state is required to inform ICAO of any differences. ICAO also provides guidance material for states on various aspects of international civil aviation.
In addition to operating under the harmonization achieved through ICAO, international flights are also subject to bilateral air service agreements between states.
Although ICAO's mandate relates to international civil aviation, most states also take ICAO's international standards and recommended practices and guidance
material into account in regulating their domestic aviation.
The ICAO strategic action plan acknowledged "a perception that the aviation sector may be contributing unduly to both existing and future environmental problems."
The ICAO program of implementation action on the strategic action plan for the 1996-98 triennium lists several activities that could be relevant to environmental issues
(ICAO, 1997c).
In the environmental field, ICAO has established standards for aircraft noise and aircraft engine emissions (Annex 16), as well as standards and procedures for
operational measures such as landing and departure (ICAO, 1993a,b). It has also developed broader policy guidance on fuel taxation and charging principles that have
relevance in an emissions context (ICAO, 1994, 1997b).
Much of ICAO's work in the environmental field is undertaken by its Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP). CAEP examines the effectiveness and
reliability of proposed aircraft certification schemes from the viewpoint of technical feasibility, economic reasonableness, and environmental need. CAEP also
examines other issues related to emissions from aircraft engines-including international and national research into the impact of emissions and possible means of
controlling emissions, such as operational measures and emissions-related levies. CAEP works closely with regional bodies and national airworthiness authorities to
discuss and propose changes in recommended environmental standards.
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