Toulouse Declaration garners sweeping support by governments and industry
On the 4th February 2022, the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union convened a dedicated Aviation Summit with the top tier of the EU Institutions, the EU Member States, allied countries and the industry descending on Toulouse, France. The event’s key priority was to discuss the future of European aviation and, in particular, its decarbonisation. Recognising the key role of all the stakeholders involved and the importance of concerted climate action, the French Presidency has launched the so-called “Toulouse Declaration” – the first-ever public-private initiative supporting aviation’s decarbonisation goals and calling on all parties to work jointly towards net zero CO2 in air transport sector by 2050.
Going beyond the EU borders, over 35 European countries and 146 industry stakeholder groups, including the five leading European aviation associations represented through the Destination 2050 roadmap have come out in support of the Declaration. ACI EUROPE has endorsed the Declaration, both in its own right as the voice of the European airport industry and as part of the Destination 2050 partnership. In addition, the European airport industry has backed the Declaration en masse – more than 300 airports across the continent added their signatures and thereby reconfirmed their commitment to reaching net zero CO2 emissions from their operations by 2050.
Together with ACI EUROPE, the Destination 2050 partners are now calling on the European Commission and EU Member States to develop and support – as a next step – an EU Pact for Aviation Decarbonisation. This Pact should set up the platform and mechanisms for the above mentioned structured dialogue we all need – going beyond the usual engagement and cooperation afforded by conventional EU policy and legislative processes. This should enable a truly holistic and joined-up approach between regulations, research, industrial alliances and financial frameworks at both EU and national levels. Access the full list of airport signatories and the Declaration text here.
