Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
regional economy. Similarly, on a larger scale, the future for the developing world
could well take the form of an acceleration of the globalization process, in which
stronger aviation alliances meet demand for growth, while fewer flights are operated
in a more efficient way. The developing world's need to foster trade and tourism using
aviation could probably be met in this way. All aviation stakeholders are talking
about the economic and social benefits this sector brings in a sustainable global
economy. Unfortunately, the relevant literature shows scenarios and data from the
developed world, mainly the US and Western Europe. It seems to be quite difficult
to 'sell' the concept of sustainable aviation based on such examples, knowing the
need for development in the low-income countries and transitional economies. More
research in this area is needed in order to develop regional and alternative scenarios
of sustainable aviation.
The Future
It is to the aviation industry's advantage to initiate a full societal evaluation of air trans-
port. It is essential that the demand for air transport is managed in a way that is
compatible with wider social and environmental objectives. Substitution of air travel
wherever possible with less damaging modes of transport, together with new fuels
for air and surface power plant, are likely to be part of the solution. Air transport
provision is currently based upon the 'predict and provide' scenario. Yet, it may be
that international bodies should adopt the role of creating a global demand manage-
ment strategy for air travel, taking into account the arguably excessive use of air trans-
port by 'developed' nations (US and EU). Will aviation ever be sustainable? The
debate will go on and on.
References
UN (2001)
Commission on Sustainable Development: Report of the Ninth Session
, 5 May 2000
and 16-27 April 2001, Economic and Social Council, Supplement No 9, pp19-24
K
EY
ISSUES
IN
AVIATION
ENVIRONMENTAL
POLICY
-
MAKING
Léonie Dobbie, Partner, GreenAscent (former Director, Aviation
Environment, IATA, 1996-2002)
Introduction
Aviation environmental policy-making is significantly more complex and costly than
for some other industries and transport modes.
1
This situation derives from the diver-
sity of the issues and trade-offs involved and because of the special nature and char-
acteristics of the industry itself.
2
This commentary reviews some of the key issues and
choices involved in designing and implementing policy to address aviation's atmo-
spheric effects and its contribution to climate change. Its underlying thesis is that
aviation environmental policy-making tends to weaken the delivery of appropriate
policies based upon the accepted definitions of sustainable development.
