Brian Barton
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been working with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to develop global standards to control emissions from aircraft engines and airplanes. The EPA has finalized greenhouse gas (GHG) emission standards for airplanes used in commercial aviation and large business jets, aligning with international carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions standards. These standards are based on fuel efficiency and aim to address the impact of aviation on climate change and public health. The EPA also collaborates with ICAO's Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP) and participates in meetings to discuss and provide input on key elements of emission reduction, such as CORSIA and the progress of supersonic aircraft engine emission standards.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| EPA's role | To regulate and control air pollution from airplanes and airplane engines |
| EPA's focus | Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, CO2 emissions, and other air pollutants |
| EPA's approach | Collaboration with ICAO, adoption of international standards, rulemaking, and testing/measurement procedures |
| ICAO's role | Developing global standards for aviation safety, efficiency, and environmental protection |
| EPA and ICAO collaboration | EPA serves as a technical advisor to the US delegation at ICAO, working with ICAO's Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP) |
| EPA's findings | GHG emissions from aircraft contribute to air pollution, endangering public health and welfare |
| EPA's actions | Finalized GHG emission standards for new commercial airplanes and large jets, aligning with international standards |
What You'll Learn
EPA's collaboration with ICAO
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a long history of collaboration with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to develop global standards for controlling 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 closely with ICAO's Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP), which was established in 1983 to formulate global policies and standards related to aircraft noise and emissions. CAEP operates on a three-year decision-making cycle, and the US delegation to CAEP is led by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), with the EPA serving as a technical advisor.
One of the key areas of collaboration between the EPA and ICAO is the alignment of emission standards. The EPA has adopted greenhouse gas (GHG) emission standards for new commercial airplanes, including large passenger jets, to match the international standards set by ICAO. This ensures that US-manufactured airplanes remain competitive in the global marketplace and that financial resources can be focused on environmental improvements. The EPA also agrees with ICAO's approach to measuring fuel efficiency based on the performance of the entire airplane, and it has adopted GHG test procedures consistent with ICAO's CO2 test procedures.
The EPA actively participates in CAEP meetings and provides its views on various topics, including ICAO's long-term aspirational goals, Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and the development of supersonic aircraft engine emission standards. The EPA and FAA serve in leadership roles within CAEP's technical working groups and provide technical support for testing and standards development.
In summary, the EPA's collaboration with ICAO is focused on developing and implementing global standards for controlling aircraft emissions and noise pollution. By aligning with ICAO's standards, the EPA ensures the competitiveness of US manufacturers, encourages global competition, and enables the reduction of environmental impacts from the aviation industry.
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EPA's emission standards for airplanes
On January 11, 2021, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a greenhouse gas (GHG) emission standard for aircraft for the first time in US history. The rule applies to civil subsonic jet airplanes and larger civil subsonic propeller-driven airplanes designed after January 2020, or in production by 2028. The EPA is taking coordinated steps with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to enable the production of a new generation of clean vehicles through reduced GHG emissions and improved fuel use.
The EPA's new rule explicitly adopts the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions standards set in 2017 by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the United Nations' aviation authority. The EPA is proposing to use the fuel-efficiency-based metric established by ICAO, which reasonably serves as a surrogate for controlling both the GHGs emitted by airplane engines, CO2 and N2O. The EPA is also advocating for improved modelling techniques that would better reflect the costs and emission reductions and better inform decision-making around proposed emission standard levels.
The EPA's new aviation emissions standard has been criticised as ineffective and obsolete. The EPA itself has projected that the new standard will not result in any emission reductions. This is because, by the time the standards were adopted, manufacturers had already developed or were developing technologies to bring the affected airplanes into compliance. In addition, environmental groups have challenged the rule in federal court, and the Biden administration issued an Executive Order directing the EPA to review the final rule.
Despite the criticisms, the EPA's new rule is an important step towards addressing aviation's impact on climate change and public health. Aviation is responsible for 3.5% of anthropogenic climate change, and GHG emissions from aircraft engines contribute to air pollution that endangers public health and welfare. The EPA's new rule aligns US standards with international CO2 emissions standards, ensuring that domestically manufactured aircraft remain competitive in the global marketplace. The rule also avoids US civil manufacturers being forced to seek emissions certification from a foreign aviation authority before marketing and operating their airplanes internationally.
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EPA's response to petitions
The EPA has responded to petitions regarding aircraft pollution, specifically concerning greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and lead emissions from aircraft engines.
In 2016, the EPA responded to a petition from the Biogenic CO2 Coalition requesting reconsideration of the finding that greenhouse gas emissions from aircraft contribute to air pollution, endangering public health and welfare. The EPA denied the petition, finalizing its findings that GHG emissions from certain aircraft engines contribute to climate change-induced air pollution, posing risks to public health and welfare. This action aligned with the Clean Air Act and international standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
The EPA has also received comments and responded to concerns about aligning with ICAO standards. While some commenters supported alignment for global competitiveness, others criticized the EPA for not considering more stringent standards to reduce GHG emissions. The EPA proposed GHG emission standards for new commercial airplanes and large passenger jets, matching international standards.
The EPA has addressed petitions regarding lead emissions from aircraft engines operating on leaded fuel. In 2023, the EPA issued a final determination that lead emissions from certain aircraft engines contribute to air pollution, posing potential risks to public health and welfare. This investigation focused on piston-engine aircraft using leaded aviation gasoline. The EPA has engaged with organizations like Friends of the Earth, Physicians for Social Responsibility, and Oregon Aviation Watch on this issue through response memorandums.
In 2024, the EPA partially denied four petitions for reconsideration of the Federal "Good Neighbor Plan" for the 2015 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards. The EPA found that the petitions provided no basis for modifying or withdrawing the plan and communicated its rationale to the petitioners.
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EPA's alignment with international standards
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been working to align its aviation emissions standards with international standards. In 2021, the EPA issued its first-ever aviation greenhouse gas (GHG) emission standard, which explicitly adopts the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions standards set in 2017 by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). This action aligns US standards with international CO2 emissions standards, ensuring the competitiveness of domestically manufactured aircraft in the global marketplace.
The EPA's alignment with ICAO standards is based on a fuel-efficiency-based metric that measures the performance of the whole airplane. This approach harmonizes with the ICAO's CO2 test procedures, which are based on technological feasibility. By adopting these standards, the EPA maintains worldwide acceptance of US-manufactured airplanes and engines, while also encouraging global competition and enabling US air carriers to obtain aircraft at competitive prices.
The EPA's aviation emissions standards are implemented under the Clean Air Act and are designed to address air pollution that endangers public health and welfare. The EPA has proposed GHG emission standards for certain new commercial airplanes, including all large passenger jets. These standards are based on airplane size, weight, and the availability of fuel efficiency technologies. The EPA has also updated engine emissions testing and measurement procedures applicable to various air pollutants, such as HC, NOX, CO, and smoke.
The alignment of EPA standards with international standards is crucial for the aviation industry. It levels the playing field, reduces administrative complexity, and ensures that financial resources can be focused on environmental improvements. However, some critics argue that the EPA's standards do not go far enough in reducing GHG emissions and that more stringent standards are needed to effectively address aviation's impact on public health and the environment.
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EPA's role in CAEP
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plays a crucial role in regulating and reducing aircraft pollution through its authority under the Clean Air Act. Aircraft emissions contribute significantly to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with a focus on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
In 2016, the EPA responded to a petition regarding the endangerment of public health and welfare caused by greenhouse gas emissions from aircraft. The agency finalized its finding that GHG emissions, particularly from certain classes of aircraft engines, contribute to air pollution, which leads to climate change. This was a significant step in acknowledging the impact of aviation on the environment and public health.
Following this, the EPA has been actively working with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to establish and implement international standards for CO2 emissions from airplanes. In 2017, the ICAO adopted CO2 standards, and the EPA followed suit by finalizing GHG emission standards for new commercial airplanes, including large passenger jets, in 2020. These standards are essential to maintaining the competitiveness of US-manufactured aircraft in the global market while reducing their environmental impact.
The EPA's role in CAEP (Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection) involves collaborating with ICAO to develop and implement emission standards and test procedures. The EPA has the authority to propose aircraft engine emission standards under Section 231(a)(2)(A) of the Clean Air Act, ensuring that emissions from aircraft engines do not endanger public health or welfare. The agency's findings and regulations are based on fuel efficiency metrics that consider the performance of the whole airplane.
By aligning with ICAO standards, the EPA ensures consistency and reciprocity in international aviation standards, reducing complexity for manufacturers and carriers. This alignment also encourages global competition and enables access to competitively priced aircraft for US air carriers. The EPA's role in CAEP is vital in addressing aircraft pollution, protecting public health and the environment, and promoting sustainable aviation practices.
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Frequently asked questions
The EPA has been working with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to develop global standards to control emissions from aircraft engines and airplanes since 2007. In 2016, the EPA finalized findings that GHG emissions from certain classes of engines used in aircraft contribute to air pollution, endangering public health and welfare. In 2020, the EPA proposed GHG emission standards for new commercial airplanes, including large passenger jets, and in 2021, the EPA finalized these standards, aligning with international standards set by ICAO.
The EPA's efforts to control airplane pollution focus on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, specifically carbon dioxide (CO2), which represents nearly all GHG emissions from airplanes. The EPA has adopted rules that harmonize with the ICAO CO2 standard by utilizing a fuel efficiency metric that scales with CO2 and N2O emissions. The EPA also works with ICAO's Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP), providing input on various aspects such as stringency analysis, modelling approaches, and data transparency.
The alignment of domestic and international standards creates a level playing field for the aviation industry, ensuring global competition and enabling airlines to obtain airplanes at competitive prices. It also simplifies administrative processes for airplane manufacturers and air carriers. The EPA's standards aim to balance environmental considerations with the competitiveness of U.S. manufacturers in the global marketplace.
