The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced on Tuesday the launch of the IATA Recommended Practice Per-Passenger CO2 Calculation Methodology, which aims at calculating the amount of carbon emissions produced by a passenger on a specific flight.
As more companies set up voluntary emission reduction targets, passengers, corporates, and travel agents are increasingly demanding precise flight emission information, according to IATA’s press release. The organization’s methodology is thus designed to provide them with an accurate and standardized means to measure emissions from travelers’ journey and compare them to the organization’s reduction goals.
“Airlines have worked together through IATA to build an accurate and transparent system using verified airline operating data,” said Willie Walsh, IATA's director general.
He added that the standard gives companies and individuals the most precise carbon dioxide calculation so they can make informed decisions about flying sustainably. This includes investments in voluntary carbon offsets or the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
IATA’s methodology takes into account several factors, including fuel measurements, carbon dioxide emissions estimations, emissions by passengers and belly cargo, etc. The use of SAF and carbon offsets are also included in the scheme.
Walsh went on to say that the variety of carbon calculation methodologies with variable outcomes generates uncertainty and undermines consumer confidence. Since aviation is committed to achieving net zero by 2050, the acknowledged industry standard for measuring aviation’s carbon emissions developed by IATA can provide critical support to attain this aim.
