Why the aviation industry must cut emissions and consumption
Environment — di Rudi Bressa
In Montreal, the international aviation assembly will decide how much and how to reduce emissions. The Paris Agreement depends on this too.
Why the aviation industry must cut emissions and consumption
In Montreal, the international aviation assembly will decide how much and how to reduce emissions. The Paris Agreement depends on this too.
The world of civil aviation today stands at a crossroads: continue to be one of the largest sources of pollution at a global level, or accept being part of the change under way and an active participant in the Paris Agreement.
One of the most important events for civil aviation begins today in Montreal: the 39th International Assembly of Icao (the UN's International Civil Aviation Organization). There will be time until 7 October to reach an agreement and place a cap on emissions across the entire sector, which has until now been sidelined since the days of the Kyoto Protocol.
According to the New York Times, an initial draft of the proposal envisaged an agreement to limit emissions starting from 2020. But following the latest negotiations, it appears that this cap will be voluntary until 2027. That is to say, each country will be free to choose whether or not to attempt to meet the target. This is evidently an extremely weak agreement.
How much civil aviation pollutes
According to the first report on the environmental impacts of civil aviation in Europe, in just over 20 years air traffic has increased by 80 per cent, with a consequent rise in pollutant emissions. This is demonstrated by that 80 per cent growth in CO2 emissions from 1990 to 2014, with a further increase of 45 per cent projected by 2035. The same applies to NOx, which doubled over the same period and will double again by 2035.
It's time for a change of course
While awaiting an international agreement, today it is the airlines that are the primary defendants and, at the same time, the first to show some encouraging signs. Without resorting to Solar Impulse, the solar-powered aircraft that circumnavigated the globe without fuel, it is enough to look at Lufthansa: the company is renewing its fleet, particularly on medium- and short-haul flights. With the new A320neo (new engine option), it is possible to consume 20 per cent less fuel per passenger compared to current models. Or the low-cost carrier Easyjet, which this very year announced it is working on the development of a hydrogen-powered aircraft. And finally Klm, which will fly on sustainable biodiesel from Los Angeles. Now more than ever, it is time for aviation to change course.