Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
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support actions contributing to the management and mitigation of aviation
noise and emissions.
Furthermore, the strategy provides an overall framework for increased cooperation
on environmental issues between EUROCONTROL and its key stakeholders, includ-
ing the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the standing European
Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC), the European Commission (EC), airlines, air-
ports and other relevant international and national bodies.
Conclusion
As aviation activity in Europe increases, the pressure on aircraft operators, airports
and the ATM system to increase capacity will intensify the debate on the environ-
mental impact of aviation. In particular, it must be determined whether it is possible
to achieve an environmentally sustainable air traffic system throughout ECAC,
while simultaneously meeting demand.
EUROCONTROL is now in the process of putting its environmental policy and
strategy in place. It has already contributed significantly to ICAO efforts through its
support for CAEP, as well as ECAC-ANCAT (the Committee on Abatement of
Nuisances Caused by Air Transport of the standing European Civil Aviation Con-
ference). The approved environmental policy and strategy confirms EUROCON-
TROL's joint commitment with its stakeholders to ensuring that environmental
concerns are built into the ATM decision-making process.
M
AKING
AVIATION
LESS
UNSUSTAINABLE
:
SOME
POINTERS
TO
THE
WAY
AHEAD
Caroline Lucas, MEP
…an unquestioning attitude towards future growth in air travel, and an
acceptance that the projected demand for additional facilities must be met,
are incompatible with the aims of sustainable development
(RCEP, 1994).
The problem
Flights to Dublin for less than a pint of beer, trips to Athens for the price of a meal
for two…air travellers have never had it so good, and more people than ever before
are taking to the skies. But, at the risk of sounding like Cassandra warning of gather-
ing gloom on the horizon, trends like these simply cannot last.
Consider the facts. Aviation is the fastest-growing source of greenhouse gas emis-
sions and looks set to be a major contributor to climate change. Air traffic is forecast
to almost double during the next 15 years. Government air traffic forecast figures show
total passenger numbers at UK airports rising from 160 million in 1998 to 400 million
in around 20 years' time. If we were to try to apply a predict-and-provide model to
that level of demand, that increase of 240 million passengers would require the equiv-
alent of four new airports the size of Heathrow or eight new airports the size of Gatwick.
