EPA Collaboration on International Air Pollution Standards for Aircraft

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Overview

The EPA has long collaborated at International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to develop global standards to control emissions from aircraft engines and airplanes. ICAO is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) that sets international standards for aviation safety, security, efficiency, capacity, and environmental protection. The EPA works with ICAO’s Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP) which was established in 1983 with the purpose to develop global policies and standards related to aircraft noise and emissions. The FAA leads the US delegation to CAEP, and the EPA serves as a technical advisor on the US delegation.

CAEP operates on a 3-year decision making cycle. As of May 2023, CAEP consists of 31 voting member States, 7 observer states, and 15 observer organizations. At the final meeting, of a CAEP cycle, the work program for the next cycle is agreed upon (e.g., at the 12th meeting of CAEP (CAEP/12) in February 2022 the work program for the CAEP/13 cycle, from February 2022 - February 2025, was discussed and agreed). Member States of CAEP meet annually at Steering Group meetings to help direct the technical work during the cycle.

The standards development and analysis work is conducted through technical working groups consisting of representatives from member State regulators, industry, airports, environmental NGOs, and research organizations. Within the working groups at CAEP, the EPA and FAA both serve in leadership roles and provide technical support for testing and standards development.

CAEP Steering Group Meeting July 8-12 2024

At the third Steering Group meeting of the CAEP/13 cycle in July 2024, the results of the integrated airplane CO2/noise stringency analysis were discussed. The US provided views on this stringency analysis, including modelling approaches and applicability. Also, the US gave an update on the changed product rule. In addition, the US provided its views on ICAO’s Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) and progress on nitrogen oxides (NOx) and non-volatile particulate matter (nvPM) emissions. These US papers are hosted by the US Mission to ICAO, and the US papers relevant to EPA’s work are also posted here.

CAEP Steering Group Meeting October 16-20 2023

At the second Steering Group meeting of the CAEP/13 cycle in October 2023, key elements of the integrated airplane CO2/noise stringency analysis were agreed to, including stringency options, applicability, modelling approaches, and data, and the US provided views on these key elements. The US provided input on the work we have been doing to increase transparency through the use of public data in the stringency analysis. The US provided its views on ICAO’s Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) and ICAO’s progress towards supersonic aircraft engine emission standards. These US papers are hosted by the US Mission to ICAO, and the US papers relevant to EPA’s work are also posted here.

CAEP Steering Group Meeting December 5-8 2022

At the first Steering Group meeting of the CAEP/13 cycle in December 2022, the US provided views on key elements within the integrated airplane CO2/noise stringency analysis schedule, applicability, modelling approaches, and data, while emphasizing the importance of proceeding according to schedule. Also, the US provided its views on monitoring progress towards ICAO’s long-term aspirational goals, Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), ICAO efforts related to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and progress towards supersonic aircraft engine emission standards. These US papers are hosted by the US Mission to ICAO , and the US papers relevant to EPA’s work are also posted here.

CAEP/12 meeting February 7-18 2022

At the CAEP/12 meeting in February 2022, the US advocated for beginning work on developing new GHG standards for airplanes, starting work on new NOx and PM standards for aircraft engines, and for additional transparency in the CAEP process. Also, the US provided its views on ICAO’s long-term aspirational goals and Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation. The US committed to begin releasing its papers to Steering Group and CAEP meetings going forward. These US papers will also be hosted by the US Mission to ICAO, and the US papers relevant to EPA’s work will also be posted here.

Past US papers submitted to CAEP

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Last updated on July 23, 2024