U.S.-Argentina Commitment an “Important Step Forward” in Race to Address Climate Change

(Washington, D.C. – March 24, 2016) A new joint commitment by the U.S. and Argentina is another important step forward in the race to address climate change, according to Environmental Defense Fund. 

“EDF commends President Obama and President Macri of Argentina for their joint efforts to avert catastrophic climate change and protect the ozone layer,” said Annie Petsonk, International Counsel for Environmental Defense Fund. “Their joint announcement lends wings to the global effort toward a robust, high-integrity, market-based measure that caps aviation emissions at 2020 levels and launches a process to ratchet that cap downward.”

In their historic meeting this week, Presidents Obama and Macri affirmed their commitment to reach a decision on adopting a market-based measure on aviation emissions at the 2016 Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). This 2016 deadline is consistent with the 2013 ICAO Assembly Resolution, and the U.S.-Argentina joint announcement will play a particularly important role in regional meetings currently underway, including the Global Aviation Dialogue session (GLAD) slated to be held in Mexico City the first week in April. 

EDF lauds Argentina for its commitment to sign the Paris Agreement and enhance its intended nationally determined contribution (INDC), as well. The two countries also jointly announced that they will be adopting a phase-down amendment to the Montreal Protocol on hydrofluorocarbons, a significant step forwards in the global effort to heal the fragile ozone layer that protects life on Planet Earth.