Just to get back to the main topic a little, although some of the above comments are quite illuminating.
Extract:
The ‘Sustainable Aviation’ strategy sets up mechanisms for monitoring and regular reporting of progress toward a range of specific objectives.
These include:
Limiting climate change impact by improving fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions by 50 per cent per seat kilometre by 2020 compared with 2000 levels;
Improving air quality by reducing nitrogen oxide emissions by 80 per cent over the same period;
Lowering the perceived external noise of new aircraft by 50 per cent by 2020 compared with their 2000 equivalents;
Establishing a common system for the reporting of total CO2 emissions and fleet fuel efficiency by the end of 2005, and pressing for aviation’s inclusion in the EU emissions trading scheme at the earliest possible date;
Airport plans for community-related noise limitations, including landing and take-off restrictions where necessary.
The initiative, the culmination of 12 months’ work by a cross-industry project group, has been strongly endorsed by the Government.
In a foreword to the 52-page strategy document, the Prime Minister praises the industry’s co-operation in searching for environmental solutions.
Tony Blair says:
“I am delighted that such a wide range of organisations have worked together on Sustainable Aviation. By working with Government and society to tackle the environmental issues associated with aviation, the industry can demonstrate that economic success, social progress and respect for the environment can go hand in hand.”
Launch signatories to the strategy include the industry national trade associations, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Airbus UK, BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, NATS and the operators of Britain’s 24 biggest airports.
This is all very good in principle, but as Aviation is a growing and some would say, critical business, is this all just some high value ideal with little substance or just a job creation scheme for some analysts and consultants?