UN's top climate change scientist says civil aviation must move quickly to improve aircraft energy efficiency Fri 18 July 2008 - Dr Rajendra Pachauri, Chairman of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), says there is growing evidence that the impact of climate change is far more serious than was ever anticipated and civil aviation must act faster in cutting emissions. He called for more investment in high-speed rail links as an alternative to flying and encouraged the development and use of video conferencing as an alternative to business air travel. Read more ...

Pratt & Whitney Canada to investigate second-generation biofuels for smaller and medium size aero engines Fri 18 July 2008 - Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) is to lead an aerospace industry and university research project to investigate the potential for powering small and medium size engines by non-food competing second-generation biofuels, possibly derived from jatropha and algae sources. Read more ...

FAA Excellence in Research Award goes to PARTNER programme leader Ian Waitz Fri 18 July 2008 - Dr Ian Waitz, Director of the Partnership for AiR Transportation Noise and Emissions Reduction (PARTNER) has received the Federal Aviation Administration's Excellence in Aviation Research Award for his ongoing, critical research on aviation's impact on the environment. The award is presented to individuals whose research contributions result in a significantly safer, more efficient national airspace system. Read more ...

Airbus becomes a supporter of the Green Wave initiative to promote global biodiversity awareness Fri 18 July 2008 - Airbus has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to support Green Wave, a worldwide educational project for children and youth. The aircraft manufacturer's initial involvement will be to help raise public awareness of the initiative through a joint global communications campaign. Read more ...

US and European aerospace industry leaders agree to greater cooperation on ethics and the environment Fri 18 July 2008 - Following a meeting at the Farnborough International Airshow, CEOs from leading aerospace manufacturers on both sides of the Atlantic have agreed to closer collaboration on ethical business practices as well as efforts to improve aviation’s impact on the environment. Read more ...

CFM unveils new next generation turbofan engine that promises 16 percent reduction in CO2 emissions Mon 14 July 2008 - As the 2008 Farnborough Air Show gets under way, engine manufacturer CFM International (CFM) has formally launched LEAP-X, an entirely new turbofan engine to power future replacements of narrowbody aircraft like the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737. CFM claims new technology will reduce fuel burn and CO2 emissions by 16 percent, NOx emissions by 60 percent and noise by between 10-15dB compared to its current CFM56 Tech Insertion engines. Read more ...

FAA launches incentive strategy to spur development of renewable aviation fuels and technologies Mon 14 July 2008 - US Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters has announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is making a grant to the X PRIZE Foundation to develop a strategy to create monetary incentives for developing renewable aviation fuels and technologies. It is an element of the FAA's NextGen programme to move aviation towards carbon neutral growth whilst doubling the capacity of the US aviation system by 2025. Read more ...

COMMENTARY

A way forward in achieving an acceptable global aviation emissions mitigation framework Wed 16 July 2008 - The search for an international consensus to tackle the problem of aviation greenhouse gas emissions has so far proved elusive. The UN agency charged with developing a global framework of mitigation measures and targets, ICAO, is attempting to reach an accord to put before the UNFCCC Copenhagen conference in December 2009. Chris Lyle analyses the issues and offers some thoughts on a way forward. Read more ...

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

For more details on the following events, click here Sustainable Aviation: Climate and Sound in Perspective 1 September 2008 Amsterdam, The Netherlands Aviation CO2 8-10 September 2008 Budapest, Hungary Airport Environmental Management 6-10 October 2008 Johannesburg, South Africa 2008 Algae Biomass Summit 23-24 October 2008 Seattle, U.S.A.  Read more ...

RECENT NEWS

Rolls-Royce and British Airways launch alternative fuel ground test programme and invite tenders Fri 11 July 2008 - Rolls-Royce has partnered with British Airways in a programme that aims to test up to four alternative fuels on a RB211 engine taken from one of the airline's Boeing 747 aircraft. The testing will take place on an indoor test bed at the aero-engine manufacturer's Derby facility. Through a tender process the companies will invite suppliers to offer alternative fuel samples for the trial. Read more ...

Air France KLM identifies five key sustainability issues as it publishes its 2007-8 CSR report Fri 11 July 2008 - The Air France KLM Group has published its fourth annual Corporate Social Responsibility Report, which sets out its approach to sustainable development by identifying five key issues and points the way in which the Group intends to address them. Combating climate change and reducing its environmental impact, not only in the air but also on the ground, are seen as the two leading priorities. Read more ...

Boeing foresees increased global demand for replacement aircraft as airlines seek improved fuel efficiency Fri 11 July 2008 - Driven by an increasing requirement from airlines to replace older, less efficient aircraft, Boeing forecasts a market for 29,400 new commercial aircraft worth $3.2 trillion over the next two decades. The demand is further driven by Boeing's estimates of an annual growth in global passenger traffic (RPKs) of 5 percent and cargo traffic (RTKs) of 5.8 percent between 2007 and 2027. By 2027, 82 percent of the fleet will be airplanes that do not exist today. Read more ...

Climate decisions-makers call for clearer policies and more political leadership, reports global survey Thu 10 July 2008 - A worldwide survey of key climate decision-makers shows strong and consistent views that government leaders need to act quickly and agree on a set of clear, inclusive and long-term policies in order to put climate solutions in place. The survey sought the views of 1,350 professionals in position to make or influence climate-related decisions in their governments, companies or other organizations across 120 countries. Read more ...

International anger as European Parliament vote to include aviation into EU Emissions Trading Scheme Thu 10 July 2008 - MEPs on Tuesday unanimously voted to include aviation into the European Union's Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) from 2012, which will affect most airlines flying in and out of Europe. Reaction has been harsh and swift from airline associations in Europe, Asia and the United States, which have called the move illegal and a tax grab. Environmental campaigners say the compromise agreement will have little impact on the sector's growing carbon footprint. Read more ...

Rapporteur says EU should seek bilateral agreements in seeking global solution to reduce international aviation emissions Tue 8 July 2008 - Ahead of the European Parliament's vote to include aviation into the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), Peter Liese, the MEP and rapporteur who has steered the legislation, is hopeful bilateral agreements can be made by the EU with countries planning similar schemes of their own to limit increases in aviation emissions. Following meetings in Washington with environmental advisors to the two presidential candidates, he is optimistic that the EU and the US can find common ground after the forthcoming election. Read more ...

Increased engine washing leads to a significant cut in fuel consumption and emissions for Finnair Fri 4 July 2008 - By washing its engines more frequently, Finnair has managed to reduce aircraft fuel consumption between one and two percent, leading to annual savings of over one million euros. A clean and well-maintained engine is at its most efficient and therefore uses less fuel causing fewer emissions, says the airline. Read more ...

Alaska Airlines reduces fuel consumption by 17 percent through winglet retrofitting and ground air units Thu 3 July 2008 - Alaska Airlines is now using mobile ground-based air units at nearly all its gates at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. It has also just completed retrofitting all its existing Boeing 737 aircraft capable of using blended winglets. Since 2002, the airline estimates it has reduced fuel consumption per passenger mile by 17 percent. Read more ...

EasyJet starts UK newspaper campaign to press for a fairer and greener air tax to replace APD Thu 3 July 2008 - Low-cost airline easyJet is taking out advertisements in the UK national newspapers calling on the UK government to make its air tax greener and also free of subsidies to airlines with transfer passengers. It largely supports plans to replace the current Air Passenger Duty (APD) with a flight-based tax. However, the campaign coincides with an adjudication against the airline by the country’s advertising watchdog over green claims. Read more ...

FAA's environment chief Daniel Elwell departs to join Aerospace Industries Association Wed 2 July 2008 - The Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) has announced the appointment of Daniel Elwell as Vice President of Civil Aviation. Elwell is currently Assistant Administrator for Aviation Policy, Planning and Environment at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). At the FAA, Elwell was responsible for aviation policy and strategy on environment and energy issues. He joins the AIA on July 7. Read more ...

Political deal on aviation's inclusion into EU ETS fails to satisfy either airlines or environmentalists Wed 2 July 2008 - Last week's compromise agreement between the European Council and European Parliament on the key outstanding issues concerning the inclusion of aviation into the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) has met with disapproval from industry associations representing both European and international airlines. A European transport environment NGO says the deal will fail in delivering real emission cuts. Read more ...

European Parliament and Council reach compromise deal on including aviation into the EU ETS Fri 27 June 2008 - A second-reading deal on the inclusion of aviation into the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) was struck yesterday between MEPs on the European Parliament's Environment Committee (ENVI) and the co-legislating European Council, which sees movement by both sides on issues such as the starting date, capping and the level of allowances. The agreement will now be put to a vote by MEPs on July 9. Read more ...

Sustainable Power claims impressive results following lab testing of its bio-jet fuel blend Fri 27 June 2008 - Mississippi-based Sustainable Power Corp has announced that joint testing conducted with an undisclosed airline has yielded favourable laboratory results of its 'All-Green' bio-jet fuel blend. A 90/10 jet fuel blend was created by combining jet fuel supplied by the airline with fuel created by Sustainable Power’s second-generation biocrude process. Read more ...

European Single European Sky II proposals promise annual savings of 16 million tonnes of CO2 Thu 26 June 2008 - The European Commission has adopted the second package of legislation, known as Single European Sky II (SES II), for reforming Europe's air traffic management system. The package is based on four pillars and places environmental issues at its core, says the Commission, with prospective emissions reductions of 10 percent per flight. This is calculated to save an overall 16 million tonnes of CO2 savings per year and a reduction of annual costs by 2.4 billion euros ($3.8bn). Read more ...

UN climate chief urges international aviation to come up with concrete proposals to tackle climate change Thu 26 June 2008 - Speaking to delegates attending an International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) workshop on carbon markets in Montreal, Yvo de Boer, the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), challenged the aviation sector to cooperate in reaching a new climate change deal by the time of the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen at the end of next year. Read more ...

Japan Airlines becomes first Asian airline to announce plans for second generation biofuel flight Tue 24 June 2008 - In cooperation with Boeing and engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney, Japan Airlines (JAL) has announced it will conduct a demonstration flight early next year using a second generation biofuel blended with jet fuel in one of the four engines of a P&W JT9D-powered Boeing 747-300 aircraft. This will also mark the first in-flight biofuel test for Pratt & Whitney. Read more ...

Air New Zealand, Continental and Virgin Atlantic join newly-formed algae trade association Mon 23 June 2008 - Air New Zealand, Continental Airlines and Virgin Atlantic Airways, along with biofuel technology developer UOP, have joined the recently formed Algal Biomass Organization (ABO), which is co-chaired by aerospace manufacturer Boeing. ABO expects these new members will form the first wave of aviation-related companies interested in developing new generation biofuels. Read more ...

Accreditation scheme to be established for enabling European airports to achieve carbon neutral status Fri 20 June 2008 - European airports attending this week's ACI Europe Annual Assembly have committed to an environmental resolution that includes the implementation of a Europe-wide accreditation scheme within 12 months that will allow airports to follow a common framework for the measurement, reporting and reduction of carbon emissions from their operations, with the possibility of becoming carbon neutral. Read more ...

Frankfurt Airport sets 30 percent emissions reduction target for 2020 and plans for a future 'eco terminal' Fri 20 June 2008 - Fraport, the manager and operator of Frankfurt Airport, has announced a six-point environmental programme that includes reducing CO2 emissions per passenger by 30 percent from the 2005 level by 2020, saving about 130,000 tonnes of CO2 annually. The operator has also committed to ensuring the proposed expansion plans for the airport will be achieved in a carbon-neutral manner. Read more ...

European airline and airport chiefs call for responsible policies on ATM and emissions trading Fri 20 June 2008 - Chief executives from European airlines and airports have heavily criticized recent amendments put forward by the European Parliament's Environment Committee and have also warned of the possible negative environmental and competitive impact of a "looming airport capacity crunch", which would add to deficiencies in the European air traffic management system. Read more ...

Lufthansa targets 25 percent reduction in CO2 emissions and 10 percent use of biofuels by 2020 Fri 20 June 2008 - Lufthansa has published 15 environmental guidelines to achieve substantial reductions in CO2, NOx and noise emissions by 2020. Included in the plans is support for the targets set by ACARE and IATA's four-pillar strategy as well as revenue-neutral incentive systems such as emissions-based landing fees. The airline also aims to use up to 10 percent of biofuel in jet fuel blends by 2020. Read more ...

EU's new Transport Commissioner pledges action on delivering a Single European Sky Thu 19 June 2008 - Italian Antonio Tajani was yesterday confirmed as the EU's new Transport Commissioner, succeeding Jacques Barrot, after a vote by MEPs. In a hearing organized by the European Parliament's Transport Committee on Monday, Tajani told MEPs that a Single Sky initiative to be unveiled on June 25 will lead to reduced airline fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Welcoming the appointment, IATA's Giovanni Bisignani urged Tajani to "weigh-in" on the ETS debate. Read more ...

Negotiations on aviation's proposed entry into the EU Emissions Trading Scheme reach a critical phase Thu 19 June 2008 - After two rounds of closed meetings between representatives of the European Parliament, the European Council and the European Commission, differences remain on some key issues concerning the inclusion of aviation into the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. A third crucial meeting has been set for next Thursday (June 26) at which a deal needs to be sealed before the directive is due to be submitted to a second reading in a full plenary session of the Parliament on July 8. Read more ...

Southwest and United sign long-term engine wash agreements with P&W to save fuel and emissions Wed 18 June 2008 - Against a backdrop of crippling fuel prices, US airlines are seeking every possible means to ensure their aircraft operate at peak efficiency. Southwest Airlines and United Airlines are the latest to sign multi-year agreements to use the EcoPower engine wash system offered by Pratt & Whitney Global Service Partners, which promises significant fuel savings and resulting reductions in CO2 emissions. Read more ...

ICAO launches its carbon emissions calculator and provides full details on methodology used Fri 13 June 2008 - The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has finally launched its carbon emissions calculator and provided a general description of the methodology used in the approach. It has been provided in an open-source format that will facilitate individual air carriers that may wish to customize it with their own data. Read more ...

Air New Zealand says tailored arrivals initiative at San Francisco has resulted in significant emissions savings Fri 13 June 2008 - Since it started the continuous descent trials at San Francisco Airport in January, Air New Zealand reports that it has saved an estimated 22,000kg of fuel and 69,140kg of CO2 emissions. The airline is the first international carrier invited to join the San Francisco Oceanic Tailored Arrivals Trial, which is a joint venture between Boeing, NASA, the FAA and the airport. Read more ...

Air Mauritius pledges support to the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation's conservation activities Fri 13 June 2008 - Air Mauritius and the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that is aimed at supporting the conservation of local birdlife, such as the Paille-en-Queue, a long-tailed tropical bird that is the symbol of Air Mauritius, the Rodrigues warbler and the Rodrigues fody. Read more ...

Malaysia Airlines launches passenger carbon offset programme and shows interest in using jet biofuels Fri 13 June 2008 - Malaysia Airlines (MAS) has launched a voluntary carbon offset programme, 'Towards a Greener Future', that allows customers of the airline and its subsidiaries Firefly and MASwings to pledge a contribution towards reducing the effects of CO2. At the launch ceremony, the Managing Director and CEO of MAS, Dato' Sri Idris Jala, expressed an enthusiasm to use biofuels. Read more ...

UK newspaper reveals contents of US protest letter to the UK government over proposed switch on aviation duty Thu 12 June 2008 - Following an article in the UK's Sunday Times on May 11, the Daily Telegraph has published a full transcript of the six-page letter sent on April 15 by the US Embassy to the UK's Foreign Office. The letter rebuts the claim made by the UK Treasury that the switch from a per-passenger duty to a per-aircraft charge has been proposed on environmental grounds. Read more ...

Jean-Cyril Spinetta Air France chief says current proposals for EU ETS will cause "useless turmoil" for airlines Wed 11 June 2008 - Jean-Cyril Spinetta, Chairman and CEO of Air France KLM, has expressed concern over the direction of discussions currently taking place between EU legislators on the inclusion of aviation into the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). Despite earlier support for its introduction, he fears the principle of a neutral system that rewarded those airlines that made efforts to reduce GHG emissions is being lost. Read more ...

Faced with ever-rising oil prices, European airlines vent their anger at environment MEPs Fri 6 June 2008 - Associations representing European airlines have queued up to condemn last week's vote by the European Parliament's Environment (ENVI) Committee to hold fast to its original proposals on the inclusion of aviation into the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. Airlines have described the Committee's strict position on allowances and capping as "punitive", whereas environmental campaigners have welcomed the vote. Read more ...

EASA launches public consultation on essential environmental requirements for European aviation Fri 6 June 2008 - The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has published a consultation document, proposing improvements in environmental protection. Comments received will help EASA to formulate a final position to the European Commission in view of a possible legislative proposal and this would complete the single system to regulate safety and environmental compatibility in European civil aviation. Read more ...

FAA announces new US East Coast routes to help airlines save fuel costs and reduce emissions Fri 6 June 2008 – The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has introduced new East Coast routes which will allow a reduction in lateral separation between aircraft over the ocean, thus enabling airliners to reach their destinations more quickly. The FAA calculates this will reduce aircraft carbon emissions by 3.9 million tons and save $400-700 million in fuel costs over a 15-year period. Read more ...

UN climate chief urges transport sector to be proactive in seeking international agreement on climate change Fri 6 June 2008 - Speaking at last week's International Transport Forum in Leipzig, UNFCCC Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer called on the transport sector to help shape the UN climate deal due to be agreed in Copenhagen at the end of 2009. He said present political action on transport is "woefully inadequate" and waiting for new technologies was not an affordable option. Read more ...

Association formed to harness the potential of algae to address global energy and environment issues Thu 5 June 2008 - Following the success of the world's first Algae Biomass Summit last November, entrepreneurs, academics, scientists and top executives from global corporations, including Boeing, have formed the Algal Biomass Organization (ABO), whose charter is to help accelerate the development and commercial application of algae biomass.  Read more ...

Air New Zealand confirms jatropha as its biofuel of choice for Boeing 747 test flight later this year Thu 5 June 2008 - Air New Zealand has announced that it expects to use at least one million barrels of sustainable biofuel annually by 2013, satisfying 10 percent of its needs. It also says it will become the first airline to use a sustainable, second-generation biofuel when it carries out a test flight on a Rolls-Royce-powered 747-400 planned for the latter part of 2008. Read more ...

Athens International Airport commemorates World Environment Day with green projects and initiatives Thu 5 June 2008 - In recognition of World Environment Day, Athens International Airport has announced two new environmental projects in the vicinity and has committed to continue supporting local educational initiatives that promote environmental activities and studies. Read more ...

UNWTO publishes climate change report and urges the tourism sector to seek long term carbon neutrality Thu 5 June 2008 - To coincide with World Environment Day, the UN's World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) today published its 2008 report 'Climate Change and Tourism, Responding to Global Challenges', which it developed in cooperation with the UN Environmental Programme (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). UNWTO is also to collaborate with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to promote ICAO's new air travel carbon calculator. Read more ...

Reuters: Environment (Last updated Wednesday, July 23, 2008 8:15 pm CDT)

Ship collision shuts Mississippi River, spills fuel HOUSTON (Reuters) - A chemical tanker split a fuel barge in half on the Mississippi River on Wednesday, spilling thousands of gallons of fuel oil and forcing the closure of a 58-mile (93-km) stretch from New Orleans southward that could last for days, a U.S. Coast Guard spokesman said. Posted Wednesday, July 23, 2008 6:39 pm CDT

New contamination incident at French nuclear site PARIS (Reuters) - Around 100 staff at a nuclear power plant in southern France were contaminated with a low dose of radiation on Wednesday, power firm EDF said, the latest incident there after a case of uranium spillage two weeks ago. Posted Wednesday, July 23, 2008 3:01 pm CDT

GT Solar IPO prices at $16.50 per share in IPO NEW YORK (Reuters) - GT Solar International Inc's initial public offering priced at $16.50 per share, within its estimated range of $15.50 and $17.50 a share, UBS Securities said on Wednesday. Posted Wednesday, July 23, 2008 7:40 pm CDT

Gourmet coffee eats into Panama forest PANAMA CITY (Reuters) - Panama's gourmet coffees fetch record prices for their prized flavors but the strong demand is convincing some growers to clear land illegally and plant in one of the country's few protected highland forests. Posted Wednesday, July 23, 2008 6:31 pm CDT

EU executive moves to limit cruelty of seal hunts BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Commission adopted proposals on Wednesday to ban the import of pelts from seals that have endured excessive suffering while being killed, risking possible trade conflicts with hunting nations. Posted Wednesday, July 23, 2008 7:57 am CDT

Cyprus water shipment suffers more setbacks NICOSIA (Reuters) - Repeated delays in shipping much needed water from Greece has left one of Cyprus's largest cities with only two weeks' supply of water as the country faces severe drought, officials said on Wednesday. Posted Wednesday, July 23, 2008 5:27 am CDT

Crowd-sourcing the e-car HELSINKI (Reuters) - After the wikipedia, the wikicar. "eCars - Now!" is a Finnish Internet community seeking to apply the collective approach taken by online collaborators like the authors of Wikipedia to start converting used petrol-fuelled cars to electric ones, with the first roll-out due this year. Posted Wednesday, July 23, 2008 12:16 pm CDT

Nissan to test electric cars in Tennessee NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Reuters) - Nissan Motor Co has formed a partnership with Tennessee to study the infrastructure needed to support the roll-out of electric cars starting in 2011, Nissan Chief Executive Carlos Ghosn said on Tuesday. Posted Tuesday, July 22, 2008 7:42 pm CDT

California ports' pollution plan a big haul LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A short drive from the sandy beaches of Malibu rise two sprawling ports, where goods from around the world enter the United States before fanning out by road and rail to stores from coast to coast. Posted Wednesday, July 23, 2008 12:03 pm CDT

Vanadium mine leak taints rivers in northwest China BEIJING (Reuters) - A broken spillway from a vanadium mine in northwest China has contaminated two nearby rivers with ore tailings, forcing authorities to rush to protect drinking water supplies, Xinhua news agency said on Wednesday. Posted Wednesday, July 23, 2008 5:28 am CDT