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  Straits Times 25 Apr 07
The battle for greener skies
 By Aviation Correspondent, Karamjit Kaur

TALKING in circles may waste breath, but flying in circles wastes fuel and adds to greenhouse gas emissions. So say the folks in the aviation industry, who slam air traffic regulators for keeping planes circling due to snags in air traffic control.

For their part, the regulators - and some green groups - tell the airline industry this: Accept that yours is a fuel-guzzling business and take responsibility for it.

Welcome to the 'green war' between airlines and regulators. While the two camps have a common aim - to reduce greenhouse gas emissions - their flight paths differ.

'Green talks' involving both camps are not new. But with global warming hogging headlines, they have gained a higher profile.

That the industry needs to be more environmentally friendly is a given. For governments and regulators, one way is to have environment taxes and carbon offset schemes that require companies to cut the equivalent amount of emissions they create by investing in projects like tree-planting.

But airlines say there is plenty still to be done within the existing operational framework.

For instance, the industry average is that one minute less of flight time saves 62 litres of fuel and 160kg of carbon emissions. Yet, say the carriers, air traffic controllers think nothing of keeping planes circling in the sky.

At a green skies conference in Hong Kong last month, Singapore Airlines chief executive officer Chew Choon Seng lashed out at such wasteful practices. He noted that at least 10 per cent of all flying time, which translates into a staggering 70 million tonnes of carbon emissions each year, is created 'by needless waiting for clearance to ascent, descent or cross traffic control zones'.

And it is the same story on the ground. Engines are kept running, burning fuel, while pilots are made to wait for gates or to line up for take- off. Such waste can be minimised with better cooperation and understanding between airlines and airport authorities, Mr Chew said.

The International Air Transport Association (Iata), which represents 250 carriers and is helmed by the outspoken Mr Giovanni Bisignani, has also weighed in on the subject.

It accuses governments of being short-sighted and out to fill their coffers by pushing for environment taxes.

Some facts and figures help explain Iata's frustration: The United Nations attributes just 2 per cent of man-made global carbon emissions to aviation; The fuel-efficiency of modern aircraft is 3.5 litres per 100 passenger kilometres, meaning much fuel is used to transport each passenger every 100km.

The Airbus 380 superjumbo and Boeing's new 787 jet will take that below three litres, a standard that should be better than that of any current hybrid car; Already, Iata has achieved some notable successes with carbon reduction and fuel economy among its member airlines.

Last year, its fuel-saving campaign achieved a 15 million tonne reduction in carbon emissions and US$1.8 billion (S$2.7 billion) in savings for airlines; Technology is expected to improve fuel-efficiency by 25 per cent in the next 13 years; A single European sky with just one, instead of the current 34, provider of air traffic navigation services would cut carbon emissions by 12 million tonnes. This is because airlines would be able to fly the most direct routes, instead of having to chart flight paths based on differing rules and regulations.

This is all very impressive. But the opposing camp has been equally quick to present its own set of numbers.

For example, aviation is now responsible for more than 6 per cent of Britain's carbon emissions and is the fastest-growing source of emissions, says the London-based World Development Movement, which works to eradicate poverty.

It says that by 2020, if Britain achieves its planned 30 per cent emissions cut while letting aviation grow at current rates, the real world drop in emissions would be only 19 per cent.

Thus, the British government must include powerful measures to curb aviation if it is to meet its objective, the organisation said in a press statement last month.

Joining in, the European Commission (EC) says aviation emissions now account for about 3 per cent of the European Union's total greenhouse gas emissions, but the figure is growing fast. By 2020, aviation emissions may more than double in volume.

To contain the problem, the EC announced last December that airlines flying within Europe would be subject to carbon dioxide emissions trading from 2011, and flights to and from outside the region would be included a year later.

Some permits would be auctioned by member states, while most would be issued for free, it said.

Emissions trading will allow an airline that curbs its emissions to sell spare allowances in a market set up in 2005 for power stations and factories. Carriers that want to increase emissions must buy additional allowances.

The EC's unilateral move has irked Iata, which is pushing for a global strategy, with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) taking the lead.

In principle, airlines have no issue with emissions trading. They find it a better option than carbon taxes that will likely find their way into ticket prices.

As Mr Bisignani put it recently when he spoke in Hong Kong: 'Many governments think green and see cash.' He added that 'taxing airlines and our passengers is becoming a popular sport'.

But emissions trading must be designed properly to be fair to all, he said, adding that the ICAO would deliberate on the issue in September.

While the devil is in the details, the fact that all parties involved agree in principle to emissions trading is an important first step for the industry on its important journey to reduce environmental stress.

Much work remains to be done though, and success depends on total commitment not just from airlines, governments and regulators, but also from aircraft manufacturers and engine-makers.

With open communication and mutual understanding, and most importantly, a focused eye on what is at stake - the well-being of Mother Earth - success can be achieved. For clearly, failure is not an option.

karam@sph.com.sg
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