industry information > civil air transport > Aviation and Environment

Addressing aviation's impact on the environment has become one of the most significant challenges facing our industry. Increased media and stakeholder interest, coupled with increased calls from government to the industry means that we need to do more than ever to reduce aviation's impact on the environment.

SBAC is co-ordinating the efforts of aerospace manufacturers through engagement in the public policy debate, undertaking research activities, high-level political engagement, stakeholder dialogue and media liaison.

In June 2005 the aviation industry produced its strategy for a sustainable industry. Sustainable Aviation (SA) marked a step-change in the industry's response to environmental issues and signalled its commitment to long-term sustainable development. For manufacturers, this meant demonstrating continual improvements in the performance of new aircraft entering into service in 2020, compared with their 2000 equivalents, by committing to the challenging targets on fuel efficiency, NOx emissions and noise set by the Advisory Council on Aeronautics Research in Europe (ACARE).

In 2006 the focus on aviation-related environmental issues intensified. There was a rise in UK Air Passenger Duty on environmental grounds, the European Commission's announced proposals for aviation's entry into the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS), the government's review of the Aviation White Paper challenges the industry to do more to address environmental issues and airlines' carbon offset schemes gained significant publicity.

In December 2006, the industry came together again to produce its inaugural Sustainable Aviation Progress Report, highlighting the key progress made in relation to its goals and commitments, with a strong focus on aviation and climate change.

Media and stakeholder interest in this issue continued unabated in 2007. In January 2007, the UK government challenged the industry to do more to address the environmental impacts of aviation and together with the media and environmental lobbyists took a strong interest in aviation's inclusion in the EU ETS. In August 2007 the environmental campaign group 'Plane Stupid' chose direct action against the industry with a climate camp at Heathrow and protests at a number of aviation facilities.

Our industry clearly faces a significant challenge in terms of demonstrating and communicating our progress towards sustainability to the travelling public, government and key stakeholders. This is essential if the UK is retain its position as one of the world's leaders in aerospace innovation and continue to enjoy the commercial advantages provided by our air transport sector.

At SBAC, environment and sustainability are core to our activities. We will continue to work with our members to ensure that we will deliver a sustainable future for our industry.

For the latest SBAC news and events please scroll to the bottom of the page.

For more information on Sustainable Aviation please follow the link to http://www.sustainableaviation.co.uk/

 

Stern Report briefing (66.4 KB)

We work extremely closely with senior colleagues in the aerospace sector from a wide range of companies including Airbus UK, Bombardier Aerospace, GKN, BAE Systems, QinetiQ, Rolls-Royce, Doncasters, Messier-Dowty and Marshall of Cambridge, all of whom have extensive experience in research and technology, as well as understanding the key issues around improved environmental performance in our products and operations. Our work is therefore driven through the SBAC's Sustainable Aviation Board, Civil Air Transport Board and Environmental Working Group. Increasingly, we are also forging improved links with other SBAC communities with an interest in the subject, including the Aerospace Technology Strategy Group (ATSG) and the Regional Strategy Committee. We aim to deepen our engagement with these communities over the coming months to ensure that environment and sustainability issues are further embedded into the work of SBAC.

The members of each of these communities are vital in helping to champion the environmental challenges faced by our sector within their respective companies and leading the progress towards our Sustainable Aviation commitments, both in terms of operational and product improvement. In relation to technological improvement and the need to further reduce aviation emissions, they and their companies are key in enabling the aerospace sector to meet the targets set by ACARE.

SBAC's Aviation & Environment Team

Our project team brings together the core skills, experience and expertise of SBAC with the external capabilities provided by our members.

Mark Watson: Mark joined the organisation in October 2007 to drive SBAC's work on environment and sustainability issues. With a background in international consultancy and government lobbying, Mark has been working in the sustainable development arena both in the UK and overseas for 12 years in a range of sectors including aviation, tourism, energy, international development and the built environment since completing his PhD in social development in 1995. Among his previous roles, Mark was adviser to a UK government minister on sustainable tourism and has led a major environment-poverty programme in China for DFID. Outside of SBAC he enjoys travel and is a keen tennis player and snowboarder.

Ryan Donaghey: Ryan joined SBAC in July 2007 as a project researcher on the aviation and environment project. His role is to assist the delivery of the project's work programme has responsibility for the collection and analysis of environmental performance data from SBAC members (including SBAC's 2008 annual survey) and undertaking policy research. Prior to joining, he worked as a researcher at a Home Office agency and research analyst at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office. Ryan holds an MA and PhD in European Public Policy. Outside work he enjoys watching and playing football and takes a keen interest in most other sports.

Carrie Lambert: Having completed a degree in mechanical engineering, a degree in physics and a diploma of arts at the University of Melbourne, Carrie moved to the UK where she undertook the Rolls-Royce graduate programme, working in a variety of areas including the Trent 1000 development programme, the business development team for a new test-bed facility in Mississippi, the combustion department in Montreal, the Field Service Office at Heathrow Airport and the Strategic Research Centre. Carrie has a keen interest in environmentally friendly technologies and provides a key link between the SBAC team and industry on technical matters. In her spare time Carrie likes running, playing netball and cooking.

 

Emissions Trading Aviation plays a significant role in the economic and social development of the European Union. The industry also acknowledges its impact on the environment and is committed to delivering an ongoing programme of environmental improvement. It aims to ensure the reduction of its environmental impact through research and development, technological innovation and revised operational procedures.

The EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) is the first international emissions trading scheme. It established a uniform price of carbon for greenhouse gas emissions from specific heavy industry activities in the 25 EU member states. Phase One of the scheme was launched on 1 January 2005 and runs to the end of 2007. Phase Two runs from 2008-12 and the scheme will continue with further phases beyond 2012. Participation is mandatory for emissions from industrial sectors specified in the scheme. These currently include energy energy generation, metal production, cement, bricks, and pulp and paper.

Member states decide, through their National Allocation Plans (NAPs), on the quota or total allocation of allowances for each phase within their country, and on how these are distributed between companies. Allowances are then issued to all firms on the basis of the NAP. Having commissioned CE Delft to undertake a feasibility study (?Giving Wings to Emissions Trading?) and establishing an Aviation Working Group in 2005, the EU is currently considering the inclusion of aviation into the ETS to increase the drive towards CO2 reductions. The UK government has also concluded that emissions trading is ?the best way of ensuring that aviation contributes towards the goal of climate stabilisation? (Aviation White Paper, 2003).

The European Commission published formal proposals for an Emissions Trading Scheme for aviation in December 2006. The Commission proposed that intra-EU flights should be included in the EU ETS as of 2011. All flights to and from EU airports would be covered from 1 January 2012. Allowances would be allocated according to harmonised rules set at EU level to avoid distortion of competition. The number of allowances issued for aviation would correspond to the 2004-06 average level of emissions. As in the existing scheme, some allowances would be issued through auctioning by Member States, but most would be issued for free on the basis of a harmonised efficiency benchmark reflecting the individual operator's share of overall traffic.

SBAC is actively participating in discussions on aviation's terms of entry into the EU ETS. In June we responded to the DfT's consultation on this issue and have been participating in the ACARE Advisory Group on Emissions Trading since April 2007.

In November 2007 the European Parliament voted to amend a number of the Commission's proposals, particularly on when the scheme should commence, the reference period for permit allocation and the allocation methodology. In December 2007, the EU's Council of Environment Ministers reached political agreement on the issue . Ministers agreed that the scheme should commence in 2012 for all flights and airlines and that the reference period for permit allocation should be 2004-06. In April 2008 the Council of Ministers adopted a common position based on the political agreement.

Next steps: The dossier will be passed back to the European Parliament for a second reading during 2008.

The EU Emissions Trading Scheme and aviation (66.5 KB)

Our members are involved in a range of initiatives and programmes aimed at reducing the impact of their operations and products on the environment. Much of the information they gather in relation to environmental performance is published through their annual environmental reports.

SBAC wants to demonstrate that its members are making ongoing environmental improvements, through the sustainable manufacture and consumption of their products, as well as improvements at their sites. In the latter part of 2007, we therefore began the first phase of this work by undertaking a data capture exercise with our members focusing on site-specific performance energy and water usage and waste management.

This data will form a key part of SBAC's contribution to the next Sustainable Aviation Progress Report and will be used to inform the production of our inaugural UK Aerospace Environmental Performance Report, to be launched in Spring 2008.

Going forward, we aim to do more work that will demonstrate our members' ongoing commitment to environmental performance enhancements, both at the operational and product levels.

UK aerospace is working towards the 2020 targets set by ACARE which challenge the European aerospace industry to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 50 per cent, NOx emissions by 80 per cent and perceived external noise by 50 per cent. The ACARE targets represent a doubling of the historical rate of improvement. Delivery against the ACARE targets will require a series of step changes in the industry's ability to design, manufacture and operate aircraft.

The sector continues to make good progress, having improved fuel efficiency by 50 per cent and reduced noise by 75 per cent in the last 30 years. Current products reflect this ongoing commitment to further reductions in noise and emissions. For example, the Airbus A380 has NOx emissions 31 per cent lower than those currently set by ICAO. The A380 has enabled further aerodynamic improvements to be realised with a noise footprint of half that of the Boeing 747-200.

The Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engine which powers the A380 represents the world's cleanest large turbofan engine and includes a new generation ?swept' fan blade design constructed of titanium, featuring a scimitar-shaped leading edge for lower noise and greater aerodynamic efficiency. Further improvements in performance are anticipated for the Trent 1000 and Trent XWB engines, powering the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 XWB respectively.

The use of composite materials promises much for the future sustainability of the aerospace industry, making aircraft progressively lighter, with lower emissions. UK aerospace companies have extensive experience in this area and continue to develop new technologies through European research programmes such as TANGO (wing spars); Integrated Wing and SILENCE(R) (nacelle acoustic intake liner development).

Leading manufacturers are having to rethink how to integrate composites into design and manufacturing processes, rather than using conventional techniques. Technology in this field has already come a long way, it is maturing rapidly and is being progressively introduced into successive aircraft designs. The introduction of composites on the Airbus family of aircraft, first seen on the A300, has culminated in 25 per cent composite use on the A380, with 50 per cent on the Boeing 787 (compared to 12 per cent on the 777 it replaces) and a similar percentage on the Airbus A350 XWB.

In the drive towards more radical solutions to address our environmental impacts, airframe manufacturers are now looking seriously at the opportunities posed by new designs such as blended wing body aircraft. Engine makers are working on ways to incorporate open rotor and aft fans into their products and extensive research is being carried out on the long term viability of alternative fuels.

Our current work to meet the emissions reduction targets is being co-ordinated through the UK's National Aerospace Technology Strategy (NATS), which includes technology validation programmes on integrated wing design and environmentally-friendly engines. In addition, work on aerodynamics and advanced materials and structures are being developed through a series of Aerospace Innovation Networks (AINs).

The advent of new technologies, in particular composites, brings its own challenges when aircraft come to the end of their lives. Manufacturers are already examining how best to decommission and recycle aircraft, including the re-use of composites. Airbus has launched the PAMELA project (Process for Advanced Management of End-of-Life Aircraft). This innovative project is examining how best to decommission and recycle an entire A300 aircraft, including the re-use of composites. Although these types of projects are still in their infancy, this approach should mean that as the number of aircraft reaching end of life increases, the tools and techniques will be available to minimise any impact.

http://www.acare4europe.org

 

April 2008

• Aviation Duty Consultation. SBAC has responded to the Treasury's consultation on aviation duty. Download the submission below.
• Aviation & Emissions Trading. 18th April 2008 - The EU's Council of Ministers adopted a common position on the inclusion of aviation activities in the EU ETS. The common position is based on the political agreement reached at the December 2007 Council meeting (See below). The dossier will now be passed back to the European Parliament for a second reading.

February 2008

• International promotion of SBAC's aviation and environment work. Mark Watson accepted an invitation to speak and chair sessions on aviation and climate change at the 'Asia Jet Fuel Summit' (21-22/2) and Orient Aviation's 'Greener Skies' Conference (25/2) on sustainable aviaiton in Hong Kong. At the former, Mark spoke on UK aerospace's work on sustainability and highlighted the EU ETS, sharing the platform with Dave Daggett, Boeing's expert on alternative fuels. At the latter event, Mark shared the platform with Philippe Fonta, Director Sustainable Aviation at Airbus, Jeanne Yu, Director Environmental Strategy at Boeing, Tony Tyler CEO of Cathay Pacific and Andrew Herdman, DG of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines. A report will be made available to members shortly. This follows a recent speaking engagement in Milan (13/2) at the request of the British High Commission and UKTI in support of their conference on reducing aviation emissions.
• Future Heathrow consultation. SBAC has responded to DfT's consultation on adding capacity at Heathrow Airport . Download the submission below.

January 2008

• Aviation & Emissions Trading. 21st December 2007 - The EU's Council of Environment Ministers reached political agreement on the Commission's 2006 proposals for an emisisons trading scheme for aviation. Ministers agreed that the scheme should commence in 2012 for all flights and airlines and that the reference period for permit allocation should be 2004-06. Next steps: the Council will adopt a common position based on its political agreement and the dossier will be passed back to the European Parliament for a second reading in 2008.

	SBAC Response to Aviation Duty Consultation (79.3 KB)
	SBAC response to Department for Transport Consultation on Adding Capacity at Heathrow Airport (71.5 KB)

November 2007

• Future Heathrow consultation announced. The DfT published its long-awaited consultation on the future of London Heathrow on 22/11. SBAC and Sustainable Aviation partners will be submitting a response to the consultation which closes in February 2007. Members wishing to contribute to the response should email ryan.donaghey@sbac.co.uk

October 2007

• 1st meeting of the new Corporate Responsibility Forum. SBAC convened a meeting of CR Managers and communications specialists, with ERM Consultants, to discuss the issues and challenges facing aerospace companies in the CR arena. A new CR Working Group has now been established, with its own programme of work, to support our commitment to Sustainable Aviation and to inform the work of the Civil Air Transport Board. A second meeting has been planned for December.
• DfT Emissions Cost Assessment consultation response. We produced our response to this consultation exercise which set out the government's proposals for the calculation of the cost of aviation emissions. Download the document below
• A380 Delivered: Airbus delivered its first A380 to launch customer, Singapore Airlines on 15/10, marking a major step towards cleaner, greener and quieter commercial aircraft, with an inaugural flight from Sydney's Kingsford Smith airport to Singapore Changi on 26/10/07.

September 2007

• SBAC and Sustainable Aviation features at Green Aviation conference, Brussels. Mark Watson from SBAC and industry colleagues from the British Air Transport Association, Rolls-Royce and the Airport Operators Association addressed delegates on the progress and challenges made in developing the UK Sustainable Aviation strategy at Aviation Week's Green Aviation conference in Brussels. See the presentation below.

• The Commission for Integrated Transport (CfIT) has published a new report, "Transport and Climate Change - Advice to Government". You can find SBAC's Briefing Paper on the report below.

CfIT's report seeks to identify areas of transport in which carbon emissions can most cost-effectively be targeted. It evaluates and proposes practical measures for targeting those areas of transport mode and behaviour and recommends a package of solutions.

CfIT recommends that the government work towards securing agreement on extending the European Union's Emission Trading Scheme (EU ETS) to aviation as early as possible and consider other options for reducing emissions from the sector.

• The Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research has published a new report: "Aviation in a Low-Carbon EU: How the Aviation Emission Trading Scheme Must be Improved". You can find SBAC's Briefing Paper on the report below.

In summary, the Tyndall Centre recommends that aviation should be included in EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) as soon as possible, preferably in 2010 or before; immediate policies are required to limit passenger-kilometre growth; and that an early baseline year, specifically 1990, for EU ETS is essential.

SBAC supports the inclusion of aviation in the EU ETS and believes the scheme is an efficient and cost-effective method of reducing overall emissions. Market-based instruments such as EU ETS, in concert with new technology, research and other appropriate policy mechanisms can all play key roles in enabling aviation to address climate change.

This report again emphasises the need for aviation to continue to respond to the challenges posed by climate change. As an industry, we need to step-up our efforts to introduce new technology, as well as ensuring that policy instruments such as the EU emissions trading scheme are appropriately designed to enable the industry achieve its aim of moving to a more sustainable future.

 

June 2007

• Director General, Sally Howes delivered a keynote speech on aviation and the environment at the UK/Japan aerospace forum in Tokyo (the speech can be downloaded above)
• The Paris Air Show was dominated by the issue of environment and featured a wide range of products by manufacturers focusing on environmental technology
• Mark Watson spoke at the Airport Operators Association (AOA) conference on airports and the environment, focusing on the technology challenge and the role of aerospace
• Colin Smith, Director of Technology at Rolls-Royce addressed SBAC staff on sustainable aviation issues, stressing the importance of new and emerging technologies
• The Department for Transport will be publishing a number of documents over the summer and into the autumn, including LHR expansion consultation, emissions cost assessment consultation, attitudes to noise from aviation in England consutlation, as well as updated emissions forecasts.
• REACH legislation came into force on the 1st of June 2007. For more information, please follow the links below:

http://www.sbac.co.uk/pages/42351931.asp

http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/reach/index_fr.htm
http://echa.europa.eu

• 13/06/2006 Launch of the OECD eChemPortal, the Global Portal to Information on Chemical Substances. eChemPortal offers free public access to information on properties and effects of chemical substances.

http://webnet3.oecd.org/echemportal/

• ACARE Research on Emissions Trading Schemes (RETS Advisory Group)
  The Advisory Council on Aeronautics Research in Europe (ACARE) has established the ?RETS' Advisory Group (Research with respect to ETS) to enable the ACARE Plenary to better understand the different potential emissions trading schemes and their potential impact on the European air transport community
  The group has been tasked with providing advice on research and development topics to ACARE stakeholders and to assess the extent to which the different ETS models will contribute towards the achievement of the ACARE goals and to what extent
  The advisory group has been in operation since December 2006 but work has recently commenced in earnest
  The group will be submitting its report to the ACARE Plenary in November 2007
  Mark Watson represents SBAC on the advisory group, alongside Airbus UK and Rolls-Royce
  
  

	SBAC submission to DfT on Emissions Cost Assessment (86.8 KB)
	Green Aviation Brussels Sustainable Aviation presentation Mark Watson (7.9 MB)
	SBAC Summary - CfIT Report "Transport and Climate Change - Advice to Government" (72.1 KB)
	SBAC Summary Paper - Aviation in a Low-Carbon EU-Tyndall Centre (77.1 KB)
	SBAC Summary - DEFRA 2007 survey of public attitudes and behaviours towards the environment (64.1 KB)
	REACH briefing (27.5 KB)