EASA welcomes ICAO agreement on new aircraft CO₂ and noise standards

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) welcomes progress made by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP) at their 9th Meeting on 4-15 February in Montreal. Agreement was reached within CAEP on a new aeroplane CO₂ certification requirement, as well as a new global noise standard that will result in quieter skies and airports.

The new noise standard will be 7dB below ICAO’s current standard and be applicable to new-design aircraft entering into service from 2017. The lower noise standard addresses airport community concerns about aircraft noise by ensuring the latest noise reduction technology is incorporated into new aircraft designs.

The agreed CO₂ certification requirement will now form the basis of future work to complete an aeroplane CO₂ standard. It will form part of the measures to mitigate aviation's impact on climate change and contribute to achieving ICAO's goal of 2% annual fuel efficiency gains.

Commenting on the agreement, EASA Executive Director, Patrick Goudou, said, “EASA played an important role in reaching this agreement, which was a key priority for Europe. A new CO₂ standard for aircraft and a new global noise standard will provide real benefits for citizens through quieter and cleaner aviation.”

Following the adoption of these CAEP agreements by the ICAO Council, which is foreseen in early 2014, EASA will publish a Notice of Proposed Amendment proposing to incorporate them into the EASA Basic Regulation. This is expected to lead to an EASA Opinion being sent to the European legislator by the end of 2014, which should be incorporated into EU law in the 2015 timeframe.