Airlines have been accused of dragging their heels over climate change, but the strategic shift reflects industry concerns that it could be ambushed at the global warming summit in Copenhagen in December if it does not address its growing emissions.

In a dramatic pledge expected at the United Nations Summit, they will aim to:

• To reduce net carbon dioxide emissions by 50 per cent by 2050, compared with 2005 levels.
• To make all industry growth carbon-neutral by 2020.
• To cut carbon dioxide emissions by 1.5 per cent per year over the next decade.
• To submit plans for joining a global carbon trading scheme to the UN by November 2010.