CHINESE airlines have pushed back against the International Air Transport Association's (IATA) resolution to commit to net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050.

Carriers reportedly lobbied to follow Chinese President Xi Jinping's pathway to decarbonisation, which sees China becoming carbon neutral in 2060, a decade after the Paris

Agreement's deadline.

China Eastern Airlines' cargo division asked IATA to abide by the common but differentiated responsibilities paradigm of international law while South China Airlines proposed to amend the road map allowing different countries to go at their own pace, reported the South China Morning Post.

By rejecting the airlines' objections during its annual general meeting, IATA highlighted its univocal position in terms of the aviation sector's decarbonisation plans. "The world's airlines have taken a momentous decision to ensure that flying is sustainable," said IATA chief executive Willie Walsh.

"With the collective efforts of the entire value chain and supportive government policies, aviation will achieve net zero emissions by 2050."

(c) 2021 City A.M., source Newspaper