Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 12
Multisector commentaries on
sustainability and aviation
I
NTRODUCTION
Major built developments and transport infrastructure are often politically conten-
tious. Forecast aviation growth will inevitably require airport expansion internation-
ally and will also increase greenhouse gas emissions. Part 3 allows commentators from
different sectors and perspectives to express their opinions on these and other matters
more succinctly than in the preceding chapters. The purpose of this chapter is to
show the contested nature of sustainability and aviation and provide readers with a
further range of opinion on the subject. Sustainability is subject to many competing
definitions and its relationship with aviation - as with any other human activity -
will remain as political as it is technical.
E
CONOMIC
ASPECTS
OF
SUSTAINABILITY
AND
UK
AVIATION
Simon Bishop, Institute for Public Policy Research
Sustainable development is generally held to involve meeting the needs of the present
without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs (WCED,
1987). This lofty principle boils down to the task of reconciling social, environmen-
tal and economic objectives to improve the quality of life for all. In relation to the avi-
ation industry, the challenge is formidable - balancing the benefits of growth in air
transport (trade, travel and employment) with the costs (congestion, noise, air pollu-
tion and the use of natural resources).
The task is made all the harder by the growth in air transport demand forecast
to 2030. The number of passengers using UK airports could more than double by
2020 and triple by 2030. Unconstrained growth in air freight is forecast to be higher
still, rising at a rate of 7.5 per cent to 2010, compared with 4 per cent annual growth
in passengers. The additional capacity of Heathrow Terminal 5 could be soaked up
within ten years.
