Almost 200 countries have reached a landmark agreement which seeks to curb O2 emissions from international aviation.

The agreement, described as a Global Market Based Measure (GMBM), is to start in 2021 and aims to move towards a carbon-neutral growth situation in international aviation from then onwards.

The scheme involves the offsetting of CO2 emissions from international aviation through the use of offsetting credits generated from environmentally beneficial projects. It is to be phased in over a six-year period from 2021. Ireland, along with 43 other European countries, has decided to participate from the start of the scheme.

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Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross TD, said: "Although aviation activity currently accounts for less than 5% of total CO2 emissions, every sector has to play its part, and this is especially true for the aviation sector where the level of activity is expected to grow significantly in the years ahead as aviation traffic increases in line with world economic growth.

"This agreement is a key element of the response of the aviation community to the Paris Agreement. I am delighted to indicate that Ireland has taken a strong leadership role in this area. The agreement, which has been supported by all European Union States marks the culmination of years of work. A total of 65 countries, including Ireland, have committed to participation in the scheme from the initial voluntary phase commencing in 2021.

"It is not realistic to expect that every country can participate in the scheme from the start because of various developmental and technological reasons but Ireland and Europe are in that position and it is right that we back that up with a firm and decisive commitment to action to address the legitimate and vital objectives set out in the Paris Agreement last December."

(CD/JP)