MANILA - An association of global aviation players challenged governments to adopt the aviation industry's carbon emission targets that help address climate change.

In a working paper representing airlines, airports, air navigation service providers and manufacturers, IATA proposed "tough" targets for the global aviation industry for the next decades. The paper is set to be presented to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in Montreal.

Specifically, IATA is aiming for 1.5% fuel efficiency on average per year through 2020, and a 50% reduction on emissions by 2050 compared to 2005.

The group also seeks to stabilize emissions with carbon-neutral growth from 2020 onwards.

"Our message to governments at ICAO is simple. We need a global sectoral approach to reducing aviation emissions. And governments should incorporate our industry targets as part of their solution," IATA Director General and Chief Executive Officer Giovanni Bisigniani said in a statement.

ICAO is a specialized agency of the United Nations, which is composed of contracting states such as the Philippines. The group serves as a global forum for civil aviation.

Once approved by ICAO, Bisigniani said the progress of these targets will be monitored with the help of IATA and the rest of the aviation industry.

"The global sectoral approach would mean that governments account for aviation's emissions at a global level and as an industrial sector, rather than within national targets. This would ensure that airlines pay for their climate cost just once, not several times over, and it would drive emissions reductions with global standards on a level playing field," Bisigniani said.

This year, IATA is expecting aviation carbon emissions to fall by 7%. Bisigniani said this would be brought mainly by the global economic crisis (accounting for about 5%) and IATA's efforts (2%).

Meanwhile, Bisigniani urged the government to reject "uncoordinated and opportunistic taxation that does nothing for the environment."

"Governments must share the industry's vision for an even more efficient air transport sector and back it up with investments in better infrastructure, especially in air traffic management projects," he said.

IATA represents some 230 airlines worldwide, which account for about 93% of scheduled international air traffic.