What is the aviation sector doing to reduce its impact on the environment?
The commercial aviation industry has a responsibility to meet the challenge of climate change. It is taking many steps to limit its impact on the environment. The industry has taken a multitude of fuel conservation measures on its own. It is investing in the latest and most efficient aircraft and engine technology; airlines are reducing aircraft weight and saving fuel, and are introducing carbon offsetting schemes. Those in Europe are constructively moving towards emissions trading in the European Union’s emissions trading scheme (ETS). The airlines are also urging their governments to take the steps necessary to modernise air traffic systems in every region. This means reducing delays and congestion and inefficient routings that cause airlines to use fuel unnecessarily. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has estimated that these measures – which can only be taken by governmental authorities – can reduce fuel use by 8 to 18%. These are just a handful of the many initi
