Aviation Gets Proactive About Tackling Climate Change

The public perceives business and private aviation as a major producer of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that contribute to climate change — and that’s true. Aviation is responsible for 2% of all human-induced carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and 12% of CO2 emissions from all transport sources, per the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG). That’s still far less than the road transport sector, however, which generates 74% of CO2 emissions, per ATAG.

Even so, the aviation industry recognizes its part in generating CO2 and is taking a more proactive role in reducing GHG emissions. The industry is taking a multipronged approach to addressing climate change through a number of initiatives, including collaboration and focus on alternative fuels.

Collaboration on climate change
At the United Nations Climate Summit in September, aviation industry representatives stated their commitment to climate action and the partnership between the U.N.’s International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and aviation industry groups.

In addition, at the 38th ICAO Assembly in September 2013, ICAO Member States committed to jointly developing a global market-based measure for aviation emissions that will take effect in 2020. This commitment provides evidence that the aviation industry is taking climate change seriously.

And the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) has a “four pillars” plan for meeting emissions reduction and fuel-efficiency targets. The EBAA has committed to making progress in technology, infrastructure and operational improvements, alternative fuels, and market-based measures in an effort to meet its environmental pledge to reach business aviation green targets.

Alternative fuels
On another environmental front, the aviation industry has identified alternatives to 100 low-lead (100LL) jet fuels, such as biofuels and unleaded avgas. According to the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), approximately 167,000 general aviation (GA) aircraft in the United States use 100LL. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced in September that it will begin testing four unleaded aviation fuels for piston-engine GA aircraft.

In tandem with the U.N. Climate Summit, Finland’s largest airline, Finnair, powered an eco-friendly flight from Helsinki to New York purely with biofuel.

The NBAA is a key player in many of these eco-initiatives. In addition to those mentioned, the NBAA provides information for GA operators about the EU Emissions Trading Scheme, which is the cornerstone of the EU GHG emissions-reduction policy and the largest international system for trading GHG emission allowances.

Climate change is a vast problem, and the efforts of the aviation industry alone won’t be enough to eliminate the majority of GHG emissions. But these initiatives are an important and necessary part of mitigating climate change, and their momentum shows that aviation is more aware of its environmental impact than ever. Each effort, small and large, makes an environmental difference and helps move the industry closer to sustainability.