Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 1.1 Key components of a contemporary aviation system
cent per annum (Campbell and Laherrere 1995, pp19, 27, in Fleay, 1999, p9). By
2050, Fleay (1999) expects the hydrocarbon era to be effectively finished. Whether
one considers this an underestimation of technological capability or of medium-term
significance for aviation (particularly given long research and development (R&D)
lead times) will depend upon one's world-view. Either way, there is no obvious
demand by airlines for the development of kerosene substitutes, despite the feasibil-
ity of biomass-derived fuel referred to in Chapter 10.
OECD sustainability principle III (assimilation)
The third OECD principle requires that assimilation rates in pollutant-receiving media
are not exceeded. Although contingent on the effectiveness of environmental regula-
tors, airports are likely to already be indirectly subject to emissions limits to air, water
and land that are, at least in part, assimilation based. In Europe this would be via
European Commission (EC) Directive 96/61/EC on integrated pollution prevention
and control (EC, 1996). However, such regulation tends to be partial in its scope.
Most notably, the quantity of CO 2 emissions at altitude are not regulated, despite
anthropogenic climate change and rising atmospheric CO 2 levels (IPCC, 1999),
indicating that the assimilation capacity of the climate system has been exceeded.
OECD sustainability principle IV (reversibility)
The fourth OECD principle requires that reversible adverse effects of human activi-
ties on ecosystems and on biogeochemical and hydrological cycles are avoided. Use
of this principle as a decision-making criterion is complicated by issues of practical-
ity and the way in which the large-scale climate system and related cycles (carbon, nitro-
gen, sulphur, metals) are not straightforward to relate to nations, let alone to individual
businesses or sectors.
Regarding practicality, although land occupied by and for built aviation infra-
structure may be reclaimable, it is lost to vegetative growth - and hence a role in
environmental cycles - for many generations. Whether or not this loss should be
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