The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has rounded on critics who accuse the aviation sector of having a disproportionately high carbon emissions record.

Speaking at the Asia Pacific Airports World conference in Singapore this week, IATA's regional Vice President Andrew Drysdale defended the industry, pointing out that aviation accounted for only 2% of heat-trapping carbon emissions globally and adverse press coverage was responsible for promoting the view that the sector is a bigger polluter than it actually is.

Drysdale's presentation made the case that electricity use and heat production were actually responsible for 35% of all global emissions, although he acknowledged that the aviation sector is going to have to address its 2% responsibilities.

Drysdale pointed out that new generation aircraft being produced are more fuel efficient, which means that the sector is cutting the amount of carbon dioxide emitted per passenger per kilometre.

He was also supported by Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) President Peter de Jong who told the same conference: ‘Aircraft generate emissions of course, but they are not the carbon-spewing monsters that many have mistakenly come to believe. We all know that if air travel was banned, there would only be a two per cent reduction in emissions, but the impact on global economies would be catastrophic.

‘We tend to forget that for nearly five decades, air transport has provided significant social and economic benefits to the society. Our industry should better communicate its positive impact on poverty alleviation and the benefits brought by air transport in terms of jobs, education and wealth creation.’