The United Nations body that oversees civil aviation is putting the finishing touches on proposals for slashing emissions from the world's aircraft by 60 per cent by mid-century.

The International Civil Aviation Organization is holding high-level meetings in Montreal to hone the proposals in time for a much-anticipated climate summit later this year in Copenhagen.

In June, the governing council of the organization, approved a broad goal of a 13 per cent cut from 2005 emission levels by 2012, a 26 per cent cut by 2020, and a 60 per cent cut by 2050.

'We have to do our share to protect life on the planet.'— Roberto Kobeh Gonzalez, International Civil Aviation Organization

These targets are considered "aspirational," meaning they would not be binding on any country or airline.

The targets also use a less stringent standard than the one in the landmark Kyoto accord, setting 2005 as a baseline year while Kyoto uses 1990.

The aviation group is discussing ways to help the industry meet emission-reduction targets and is preparing a submission to the UN conference in Copenhagen.

The group's president opened the Montreal meeting by saying the industry had reached a critical juncture.

"We may never have another opportunity such as this one to influence global decisions affecting aviation and climate change," Roberto Kobeh Gonzalez said. "We have to do our share to protect life on the planet."

More efficient aircraft

The group's proposals call for more energy-efficient aircraft engines, operational improvements at airports, and better navigational corridors to make flights shorter so that planes will consume less fuel.

The plan, put together over two years by a special working group, also calls on the U.N. organization to develop a carbon-emission standard for new aircraft types.

'Aircraft today are 70 per cent more fuel efficient than they were some 40 years ago.'— Denis Chagnon, spokesman for UN aviation group

Countries at the three-day meeting represent about 85 per cent of civil aviation traffic in the world.

The aviation organization will provide financial and technological support to developing nations to help them reach the established targets.

An official with the group said plenty of progress has been made since airplanes first came off the assembly line.

"Aircraft today are 70 per cent more fuel-efficient than they were some 40 years ago," Denis Chagnon said. "So we're looking at the next 40 years."

Chagnon said he is particularly keen on limiting emissions because of the expected growth in air travel over the next decade.

"The goal of this reunion is to reunite the member states to send a clear message: that the international aviation sector has in hand a program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions," Chagnon said.

But in the next breath, he said air travel plays a limited role in global emissions.

"[They] represent only two per cent of the total man-made CO2 emissions in the world."

The aviation group's recommendations were put together in consultation with the International Air Transport Association, which represents commercial airlines.