The high-altitude effects of non-CO2 greenhouse gases caused by aviation are still uncertain, say scientists Mon 6 Oct 2008 - Scientists studying the effects of aircraft contrails and non-CO2 greenhouse gas emissions from aviation, such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), report that whilst the science is improving they are still unsure of the magnitude of aviation's impact on global warming. There are still major uncertainties that require further research and they advise policy makers to steer clear of basing decisions on so-called 'multipliers'. Read more ...

EERC claims first production of a military jet aviation fuel fully created from renewable feedstocks Sat 4 Oct 2008 - The University of Dakota's Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) has created what it describes as a 100 percent renewable drop-in JP-8 military jet fuel that has successfully met the required specifications. The EERC says it is expecting to produce a large enough sample for engine testing before the end of the year and is exploring partnerships with the private sector to move into full-scale production of the fuel. Read more ...

Virgin Galactic and NOAA to explore collaboration on high altitude climate change research and monitoring Fri 3 Oct 2008 - Virgin Galactic, the ambitious project to take civilians to the edge of space, has signed an agreement with the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to research the effects of climate change at high altitudes. Virgin is currently developing a plane, called WhiteKnightTwo, which will eventually carry the SpaceShipTwo passenger space craft to a height of about 50,000 feet (15km) before launching it. Both will be equipped with sensors and monitoring systems to measure CO2 and other GHGs as they fly through the upper atmosphere. Read more ...

VLM says it is a myth that short-haul flights are more environmentally damaging than rail journeys Fri 3 Oct 2008 - Belgian regional carrier VLM Airlines has waded into the train versus plane debate by publishing a 'fact sheet', entitled Setting the Record Straight, which aims to disprove claims that flying within the UK and on short-haul flights to Europe is more damaging to the environment than taking the train on the same routes. VLM argues that train operators and their supporters are not taking into account the true environmental impact of rail services. Read more ...

Lightweight containers will help reduce airline fuel consumption and reduce emissions, says manufacturer Thu 2 Oct 2008 - US container manufacturer Nordisk Aviation Products says using its lightweight unit load devices (ULDs) can support carriers that are implementing aircraft weight reduction programmes in order to save fuel and reduce emissions. The company produces two models that it says can provide considerable overall cost savings to airlines, while at the same time minimizing their environmental impact. Read more ...

Budapest Airport starts programme to install noise insulation in affected local residential properties Thu 2 Oct 2008 - The operator of Budapest's Ferihegy Airport has started its programme to fit noise insulation to windows in the bedrooms of homes located in the immediate vicinity. In the first phase, around 250 properties in the municipality of Ullo, which are considered to be the most affected by aircraft noise, will have the work carried out and completed before the end of the year, at a cost of around $340,000. Read more ...

Lufthansa announces measures to save paper on its cargo and passenger operations Thu 2 Oct 2008 - Lufthansa Cargo has despatched its first paperless airfreight shipment on a flight from Frankfurt to Seoul as part of a move by the air cargo industry towards an e-freight era. Meanwhile, Lufthansa's airline passengers can now use mobile boarding passes on all flights from Germany to any European destination, avoiding the need for printing out any travel documents. Lufthansa Systems, the carrier's IT solutions subsidiary, has announced Air Berlin has contracted for its fuel-saving, flight planning system. Read more ...

FEATURE ARTICLES

Two organizations and countless companies strive to bring the dream of algae biofuels to life Sun 28 Sept 2008 - A successful conversion of algae to an aviation jet biofuel on a commercially sizeable and economic scale is seen as having exciting potential in the efforts to replace traditional jet kerosene with an emissions-reducing alternative. Jim Lane, Editor of Biofuels Digest, provides a comprehensive overview of the state of the current algae market and the technological hurdles that must be overcome. Read more ...

Affected airlines must factor in many uncertain issues as they plan for inclusion into the EU ETS Thu 18 Sept 2008 - Although aviation's inclusion into the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme is now a formaility, there is uncertainty on the levels of capping and auctioning from 2013 as Europe may seek to tighten current proposals. There is also the possibility of legal action by non-EU countries with airlines that fly to Europe, angered by their unilateral inclusion into the scheme. However, Miles Austin warns the industry to avoid a wait-and-see attitude and start preparations now.  Read more ...

COMMENTARY

Disagreement on environmental impacts of air transport is seriously undermining UK government policy Thu 28 Aug 2008 - Air travel has been heralded as one of the great successes of the modern world, creating wealth and employment, enabling worldwide economic and cultural interaction, and enriching our lives, writes Hugh Raven, Commissioner at the UK's Sustainable Development Commission. We know there are environmental concerns, which may or may not be answered by future technological breakthroughs. But the economic imperative to expand is surely overwhelming. Or is it? Read more ...

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 Aviation and the Environment: Where are we Going? 7 October 2008 RAeS, London, UK Sustainable Airports Seminar - UK Expertise 9 October 2008 London, UK International Airport Air Quality Conference 13-14 October 2008 RAeS, London, UK 2008 Algae Biomass Summit 23-24 October 2008 Seattle, USA Algae Commercialization Business Roundtable, Research, and Networking Forum 23-24 October 2008 The Woodlands, TX, USA New listing! Meeting the Environmental Challenge 28-29 October 2008 Geneva, Switzerland Towards Sustainable Aviation Propulsion 19 November 2008 Bristol, UK Aviation, the Environment & Emissions Trading Conference 19-20 November 2008 Brussels, Belgium Emissions Trading Aviation Summit 24-25 November 2008 London, UK International Conference on Alternative Aviation Fuels 24-26 November 2008 RAeS, London, UK Second International Scientific and Business Congress on Protecting the Climate - A World Joint Strategy "Localisation on Environmental Business and Supply Base in India" 3-4 February 2009 New Delhi, India New listing! Greener Skies 2009 23 February 2009 Hong Kong New listing! Aviation & Environment Summit 2009 31 March - 1 April 2009 Geneva, Switzerland  Read more ...

RECENT NEWS

Airlines must take a more positive approach to the environmental debate, says European Commission official Sun 28 Sept 2008 - Peter Bombay, a senior official from the European Commission's Air Transport Unit, said airlines were being seen as in denial over their environmental responsibilities. He called on the European aviation sector to make the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) a success and work closer with the Commission on helping to curb the sector's emissions. Airlines were urged to lobby their governments over the Single European Sky project as a number Member States, he said, were resisting moves towards an integrated European ATM system. Read more ...

Boeing claims significant fuel and emissions savings for its new 777 Performance Improvement Package Fri 26 Sept 2008 - Boeing has so far signed up ten airlines for its new 777 Performance Improvement Package (PIP), scheduled for an April 2009 introduction into service. These airlines have combined 777 fleets totalling 170 aircraft and Boeing claims that the resulting one percent fuel efficiency gain will eliminate over 1,360 tonnes of CO2 emissions per airplane per year and reduce annual fuel spending per aircraft by about $200,000, assuming crude oil prices at $100 per barrel. Read more ...

Los Angeles World Airports develops guidelines for sustainable airport planning, design and construction Fri 26 Sept 2008 - Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) has published a 288-page workbook, called Sustainable Airport Planning, Design and Construction Guidelines, which will be used to integrate sustainable concepts and practices at its four airports. The guidelines combine newly-created, airport-specific sustainability performance standards with existing standards, guidelines and tools that have been modified for applicability to airport projects. Read more ...

UK Government wants aviation excluded from EU renewable energy target, reports BBC Fri 26 Sept 2008 - According to documents seen by BBC News, the UK Government is lobbying the European Commission for aviation to be excluded from a target to have 20 percent of Europe's energy from renewable sources - which includes fuel as well as electricity - by 2020. The government ministry responsible, the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR), says it is pointless holding aviation to a legally binding target because of uncertainty over biofuels for planes. Read more ... 1 opinion posted

Carbon offset service and information portal on air travel GHG emissions takes off Thu 25 Sept 2008 – A new Australian-based air travel and environment information portal and carbon offset service, called My Clean Sky, has been launched. Its aim is to educate the public about aviation greenhouse gas emissions, provide a sophisticated emissions calculator and offer passengers a transparent carbon offset service. Read more ...

Industry, airlines and environmental organizations join forces to form sustainable aviation fuels group Thu 25 Sept 2008 - Boeing, Honeywell's fuel processing technology subsidiary UOP and nine airlines have set up the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Users Group to accelerate the development and commercialization of sustainable new aviation biofuels. Two environmental organizations, WWF and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), have agreed to provide support and advice. The initiative, says the group, makes commercial aviation the first global transportation sector to voluntarily drive sustainability practices into its fuel supply chain. Read more ...

UK Government set to sanction Heathrow expansion just as London's mayor proposes a replacement airport Thu 25 Sept 2008 - According to The Times newspaper, the UK Government has already decided to press ahead with controversial proposals to expand the capacity of London's Heathrow Airport, despite widespread opposition from environmental pressure groups, local councils and politicians. The disclosure coincides with an announcement from London's mayor that he was commissioning a study to consider the viability of a new 24-hour, four-runway airport in the Thames estuary to the east of the capital to ultimately replace Heathrow. Read more ...

Ensyn and UOP form joint venture to develop second-generation biomass technology for green jet fuel Mon 22 Sept 2008 - UOP, a leader in fuel refining process technologies, and Ensyn, a pioneer in biomass to liquid technology, have formed a joint venture to offer technology and equipment to convert second-generation biomass into oil for power generation, heating fuel and eventually for conversion into transportation fuels, including biojet fuel.  Read more ...

Aviation industry polishes up green credentials with a relaunch of its environmental website Mon 22 Sept 2008 - Enviro.aero, the environmental website of the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG), a cross-industry international association representing aviation, aerospace and air navigation companies and organizations, has been relaunched with the aim of encouraging increased dialogue between the industry and the public. The updated website provides more interactivity and audio-visual content, as well as a 'Plane Talking' blog. Read more ...

Air New Zealand unveils two initiatives that will reduce annual emissions by over 20,000 tonnes Fri 19 Sept 2008 - Following on from last week's inaugural trans-Pacific test flight conducted under optimum flight planning conditions to reduce journey time, fuel and emissions, Air New Zealand has announced two more initiatives to increase aircraft efficiency, save fuel and reduce CO2 emissions. The first involves retrofitting its five-strong Boeing 767 fleet with blended winglets, the other will see zonal dryers fitted to 42 aircraft that will remove trapped moisture, thereby saving weight and fuel. Read more ...

US defence research agency solicits proposals for an environmentally friendly coal-derived military jet fuel Wed 17 Sept 2008 - The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has announced a research programme to exploit the country's huge coal resources to extract liquid fuel that could satisfy its military JP-8 jet fuel needs for "several thousand years" and reduce its reliance on foreign petroleum-based fuels. Not only is the challenge to produce a fuel that is cost competitive with existing fuels, it must also be environmentally friendly. Read more ...

European passenger traffic and aircraft movements drop for the first time in six years, reports ACI Wed 17 Sept 2008 - The overall passenger traffic at 108 reporting European airports decreased by 0.4 percent in July compared with July 2007, according to Airports Council International (ACI) Europe, the first time since August 2002 that a monthly fall has been registered. Overall aircraft movements fell by 0.1 percent in July compared to the previous year. Freight traffic suffered a bigger drop with tonnage falling by 2.9 percent. Read more ...

CAAFI meeting brings progress on a roadmap to address the future viability of alternative jet fuels Tue 16 Sept 2008 - A two-day summit held last week in Washington by the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative (CAAFI) brought together national and international representatives from the aviation industry, fuel suppliers, research and government agencies to advance commercial aviation closer to implementing commercially viable, environmentally friendly alternative jet fuels. Read more ...

Air New Zealand's ASPIRE 1 takes off in pursuit of fuel and emissions savings across the Pacific Fri 12 Sept 2008 - Air New Zealand flight NZ8, renamed ASPIRE 1, took off from Auckland today for San Francisco on a first test flight operating under optimum flight planning conditions. The journey is expected to result in fuel savings of 4,400 litres and 11 fewer tonnes of CO2 being emitted. The route efficiency gains are the result of the ASPIRE (Asia and South Pacific Initiative to Reduce Emissions) programme in which the airline is partnering with Airways New Zealand, Airservices Australia and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Read more ...

Environmental concerns fail to influence business travel plans, discovers UK survey Fri 12 Sept 2008 - While many companies may have an environmental policy in place for staff travel, fewer than one percent of business travellers reduced the number of trips in 2007, reports Barclaycard Business in the final edition of its annual Travel Survey. Despite the green aspirations of many of today's businesses, 78 percent of respondents said they are operating without reference to any environmental travel policy and 81 percent stated their company did not audit carbon emissions resulting from travel. Read more ...

Solazyme claims world first in race to produce algae-based jet fuel that meets the ASTM standard Fri 12 Sept 2008 - San Francisco-based Solazyme has laid claim to becoming the world's first producer of a microbial-derived jet fuel that meets the 11 most challenging specifications of the ASTM D1655 standard for aviation jet fuel. On key measurement tests for density, thermal oxidative stability, flashpoint, freezing point, distillation and viscosity, Solazyme says its algal-based fuel met the ASTM requirements, thus passing the highest hurdle in successfully developing a commercial and military drop-in jet fuel. Read more ...

Air France plans to enter high-speed rail venture with Veolia on routes to London and Amsterdam Thu 11 Sept 2008 - As the environmental pressure grows on travellers to take the train rather than the plane on short-haul routes, Air France has adopted a "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" approach and is poised to enter a joint venture with the major French transportation services provider Veolia to operate high-speed trains from Paris to destinations such as London and Amsterdam. However, Air France has dampened speculation that an agreement between the two is to be signed next week, saying it is still "examining the possibility". Read more ...

UK's environment ministry opens consultation on airport action plans to address aircraft noise Wed 10 Sept 2008 - The UK's Environment Minister, Jonathan Shaw, has called for views on how noise from English airports can be managed effectively and issued for comment draft guidance for action plans that airport operators must draw up on measures they will take to manage and, where appropriate, reduce the level of noise impact on local communities. This follows on from an EU directive dating back to 2002. Read more ...

IATA, CANSO and Eurocontrol commit to an efficiency plan to reduce fuel consumption and emissions Tue 9 Sept 2008 - The International Air Transport Association (IATA), the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO) and Eurocontrol have signed a five-point Flight Efficiency Plan that will implement short-term measures to reduce annual fuel consumption in European airspace by 470,000 tonnes, saving an estimated 1.55 million tonnes of CO2 emissions per year. Airlines expect to trim annual total fuel costs by around 390 million euros. Read more ...

Tougher EU rules for travel reservation systems aim to support greener alternatives to short air journeys Mon 8 Sept 2008 - MEPs have voted to tighten existing rules that govern travel computerized reservation systems (CRSs) used by travel agents across Europe. Primarily designed to encourage more competition so that consumers get a better deal, the revised Code of Conduct also proposes additional requirements that an alternative rail option is shown for air journeys of less than 90 minutes and that systems provide information on CO2 emissions and fuel consumption of flights. Read more ...

Panama's Copa Airlines signs agreement with government to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions Sat 6 Sept 2008 - Panama's Copa Airlines has signed a partnership agreement with the Panamanian Environmental Protection Agency (ANAM) under which the carrier undertakes to comply with environmental regulations and voluntarily reduce and offset greenhouse gas emissions from its ground and air operations. Read more ...

Emissions and fuel consumption by US airlines fell last year compared to 2000, reports ATA Fri 5 Sept 2008 - US airlines emitted just over 5 million fewer tonnes of CO2 emissions in 2007 than in 2000, according to the 2008 Economic Report just published by the Air Transport Association of America (ATA), whilst carrying 20.4 percent more passenger and cargo traffic. The trade organization, whose airline members make up 90 percent of all US traffic, says this follows a 3 percent drop in fuel consumption achieved through the retirement of older, less fuel-efficient aircraft, winglet retrofitting, reduced aircraft weight and more efficient operational procedures. Read more ...

Air France KLM achieves Super Sector Leader status by both Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes Fri 5 Sept 2008 - Air France KLM Group has been named 'Super Sector Leader' for sustainability in the wider travel and leisure sector for 2008 and, for the fourth year running, leader in its own airline sector by the two Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes, DJSI World (worldwide) and DJSI STOXX (European-wide). Lufthansa once again qualified for DJSI inclusion and succeeded in improving its corporate sustainability rating. Read more ...

ASU receives $3 million funding towards research and commercialization of algae-based jet biofuels Thu 4 Sept 2008 - Arizona Technology Enterprises (AzTE), the technology venturing arm of Arizona State University (ASU), has entered into a collaboration agreement with private equity investor Heliae Development and Science Foundation Arizona (SFAz) to develop, produce and sell aviation fuel derived from algae. The project will be based on patented technologies developed by Professors Qiang Hu and Milton Sommerfeld at ASU's Laboratory for Algae Research & Biotechnology in Scottsdale. Read more ...

EU States likely to face legal action from the US over ETS regardless of who wins presidential election, says ATA Thu 4 Sept 2008 - Nancy Young, Vice President Environmental Affairs for the Air Transport Association of America, says she is "confident" the United States will take legal action against EU States over the mandatory inclusion of its transatlantic airlines into the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS), regardless of which of the two presidential candidates forms a new US administration next year. Even though both candidates are broadly in favour of an emissions cap-and-trade scheme, she believes the infringement of US sovereignty would not be tolerated and was in clear breach of Article One of the Chicago Convention. Read more ...

Reuters: Environment (Last updated Monday, October 6, 2008 6:31 pm CDT)

EU lawmakers approach "Super Tuesday" climate vote BRUSSELS (Reuters) - European Union lawmakers will vote on Tuesday on whether to support sweeping cuts in carbon emissions from coal plants and tweaks to EU climate change proposals which would ease costs for industry. Posted Monday, October 6, 2008 5:23 pm CDT

U.N. sees risks mounting for global warming fight LONDON/BARCELONA (Reuters) - The struggle against climate change must not follow world trade talks into limbo as risks mount that the credit crisis will sap commitment to the fight, the U.N. climate chief said on Monday. Posted Monday, October 6, 2008 11:58 am CDT

One in four mammals risks extinction BARCELONA, Spain (Reuters) - A quarter of the world's mammals are threatened with extinction, an international survey showed on Monday, and the destruction of habitats and hunting are the major causes. Posted Monday, October 6, 2008 12:23 pm CDT

Beijing city raises pump prices to fund cleaner fuel BEIJING (Reuters) - Beijing's city authorities have raised pump prices by up to 4 percent to cover the cost of cleaner fuel, a bold gesture of support for efficiency and green growth on a day when global oil markets hit an eight-month low. Posted Monday, October 6, 2008 3:16 pm CDT

Tropical storm Marco forms near Mexico oil fields MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Tropical Storm Marco formed on Monday in the southern Gulf of Mexico in the vicinity of Mexico's main oil production facilities but the country's three main oil exporting ports remained open. Posted Monday, October 6, 2008 5:05 pm CDT

Poland close to blocking minority on CO2: officials WARSAW (Reuters) - Poland has moved closer to assembling a blocking minority among the European Union members, enabling them to seek changes to Brussels' proposed climate package, Polish officials said. Posted Monday, October 6, 2008 12:38 pm CDT

DR Congo to cancel two-thirds of logging contracts KINSHASA (Reuters) - Democratic Republic of Congo plans to cancel more than two-thirds of its timber logging contracts under a World Bank-backed review aimed at cleaning up corruption in the sector, its environment minister said on Monday. Posted Monday, October 6, 2008 2:19 pm CDT

China grim on prospects for climate pact BEIJING (Reuters) - Negotiations seeking a global pact to tackle global warming are troubled and could end in disastrous failure, China's top climate change envoy warned on Monday, saying rich countries are failing to deliver on promises. Posted Monday, October 6, 2008 5:29 am CDT

U.N. body to finalize action on ship emissions LONDON (Reuters) - Curbing greenhouse gas emissions from ships, possibly by including the sector for the first time in an emissions trading scheme, tops the agenda at a meeting of the industry's top regulatory body in London this week. Posted Monday, October 6, 2008 10:03 am CDT

Some Antarctic scientists train in British mud YELD FARM (Reuters) - There hasn't been a glacier in England since the Ice Age so Antarctic scientists flock to a muddy field here to learn how to survive on the world's coldest continent. Posted Monday, October 6, 2008 2:24 am CDT

ARCHIVED NEWS - AUGUST 2008

Pacific Northwest commuter airline start-up lays claim to becoming America's first green airline Fri 29 Aug 2008 - SeaPort Airlines, a new commuter airline offering scheduled flights between Seattle and Portland, has chosen highly fuel-efficient Pilatus PC-12 turboprops for its operations and has also committed to fully offset the emissions of the jet fuel the airline burns through a partnership with the Columbia Land Trust and its Working Forest Initiative that will help preserve forest land in the Pacific Northwest. Read more ...

Singapore's Changi Airport opens new Butterfly Garden for departing passengers at Terminal 3 Fri 29 Aug 2008 - A 330 square metre garden, designed as a tropical retreat and educational tool, will be home to 1,000 free-roaming butterflies comprising 47 species native to Singapore and Malaysia. Passengers departing or transiting through Changi's Terminal 3 are promised a tranquil haven offering a respite from the stresses of travelling as well as an opportunity to observe the life cycle of butterflies. Read more ...

Gander International to become North America's first carbon neutral airport Thu 28 Aug 2008 - Canada's Gander International Airport Authority (GIAA) and its tenant companies have started implementing a comprehensive carbon emissions reduction programme that involves a number of infrastructure and employee initiatives. The remaining emissions are being offset through the CarbonNeutral Company and will be used to fund green energy projects in Europe and Asia. Read more ...

Denver International unveils a public-private partnership funded two megawatt solar energy system Thu 28 Aug 2008 - A two megawatt solar energy system situated on a 7.5 acre (3ha) site just south of the Jeppesen Terminal at Denver International Airport has been dedicated by the city's mayor, the airport's aviation manager and four private companies involved with the project. The system will generate over three million kilowatt hours of electricity per year and enable the airport to reduce its annual carbon emissions by an estimated five million pounds (2,268 tonnes). Read more ...

Boston Logan becomes the first US airport to use 'green' asphalt on a runway repaving project Wed 27 Aug 2008 - The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) has committed to a $6.3 million project to mill and repave the outer edges of Runway 4R/22L at Boston Logan International Airport this autumn using a 'warm mix' asphalt that is produced and poured in a manner that reduces greenhouse gas emissions and energy use. If the mix performs as expected, it will be used to repave all of a second runway, 9/27. Read more ...

Air New Zealand and JAL to trial trans-Pacific flight planning initiatives to reduce fuel and emissions Wed 27 Aug 2008 - Air New Zealand and Japan's JAL Group have announced they will be trialling separate initiatives that enable more efficient routing of aircraft across the Pacific, saving fuel and therefore emissions. JAL started trials of the User Preferred Route system two weeks ago on flights between Japan and Hawaii, and Air New Zealand will conduct a test flight between Auckland and San Francisco on September 12 as part of the ASPIRE initiative. Meanwhile, Air New Zealand says its biofuel test flight is on course to take place before the end of the year. Read more ...

Environment leaders warn UK Government over air pollution breaches if Heathrow expansion proceeds Tue 26 Aug 2008 - According to a report in the Guardian newspaper, Stavros Dimas, the European Commissioner for the environment, says EU targets on air pollution limits will be "significantly" breached if plans to add additional capacity at London's Heathrow Airport get the go-ahead. Lord Smith, the new head of the UK's Environment Agency, has added his concerns in an interview with The Independent, saying the building of a third runway would be a "mistake" because of the increase in pollution and aircraft noise. Read more ...

IATA chief urges Australia to challenge Europe over the inclusion of aviation into the EU ETS Fri 22 Aug 2008 - Speaking to the Australian National Aviation Press Club in Sydney on Wednesday, Giovanni Bisignani, Director General and CEO of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), said Australia had a responsibility to challenge Europe's "unilateral and illegal" move to bring aviation into its Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). He also called on the Australian government to reassess the "blunt" approach of its own domestic ETS proposals, in particular the plan to auction permits. Read more ...

Emirates launches a series of new initiatives to further improve environmental operations performance Fri 15 Aug 2008 - Coinciding with the delivery of its first Airbus A380 superjumbo, Emirates has unveiled a programme, branded Emvironment, which includes the adoption of a new environmental policy for the Group and a global staff awareness campaign, together with internal goals to reduce energy consumption and waste, as well as increase recycling and training. Read more ...

UK says it will not earmark aviation revenues from EU ETS auctioning for environmental measures Thu 14 Aug 2008 - At a recent closed meeting, officials from the UK Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the UK Department of Transport told aviation representatives that the UK will not agree to ring-fencing revenues raised from airlines through the auctioning of EU ETS allowances for environmental purposes such as clean aircraft research. This flies in the face of an important provision in last month’s agreement between the European Parliament and the EU Council. Read more ...

ACI North America announces the winners of its 2008 Environmental Achievement Awards Thu 14 Aug 2008 - Boston Logan International, Seattle-Tacoma International and Minneapolis-St Paul International airports have each won an Airports Council International - North America (ACI-NA) Environmental Achievement Award for 2008. The awards are given for projects based on environmental benefits, innovation, effective implementation, widespread applicability and cost-effectiveness. Read more ...