I have recently searched the parliament hansard archives on the UK's Government views on the ideas of greener airplanes. To my amazement i only found one report which dated back to to 16 January 2004. A whole 3 years have passed since then. In this report Lord Beaumont of Whitley proposed a bill to reduce emissions of CO, NOx and greenhouse gases due to air traffic.
The government have predicted that air travel will treble during the next 30 years. (shocking, i know)and in the the White Paper published in Decemeber 2003 there were proposed plans to build new runways at Stansted, Heathrow and Birmingham and other airports to meet demands.
The cost of UK avaition's contribution to climate change is estimated at well over £2 Billion a year. By 2050, avaition could be conributing up to 15 percent of overall global warming effctes produced by human activities.
I know that my local MP and the government have strong issues on the topic of current warming, but if aviation pollution is one of the major causes of this disaster, then why aren't they proposing any solutions or at least raising the area more frequently in parliament?
Sunday, 25 March 2007
Saturday, 10 March 2007
Ambitious targets agreed to reduce global warming
In a bid to avert potential human calamity,carbon emissions are to be slashed by 20% by 2020 as a result of decisions taken at the summit meeting on 8-9 March. This figure could go up to 30% if counties outside the EU agree to match the commitment.
Coming together at the EU’s spring council, heads of state not only agreed on the emissions reduction but also to a 20% increase in energy efficiency, a 10% increase in use of biofuels and a binding 20% target for the use of renewable energy sources.
The topic is "extremely important for the whole of humanity" said Ms Merkel. "To reduce global warming by 2 percent we need to take the necessary measures, avoiding what could well be human calamity", she explained.
read more: http://ec.europa.eu/news/eu_explained/070309_1_en.htm
EU Council Greener Energy meeting
Member states of the EU meet this week to discuss plans for more greener more renewable sources of energy. It is thought the EU could offer to extend its 20% target for emissions cuts to 30% if other heavy polluters like the US, China and India come on board.
There are many numerous ways to cut carbon emissions but why is carbon emmissions in the form of air pollution from airplanes never mentioned?
Here is an article from the BBC website, discussing issues arising at the meeting.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6433503.stm
There are many numerous ways to cut carbon emissions but why is carbon emmissions in the form of air pollution from airplanes never mentioned?
Here is an article from the BBC website, discussing issues arising at the meeting.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6433503.stm
More controls needed?
The European Commission proposed in December 2006 to set carbon dioxide emission quotas for airlines from 2011, a stance already met with hostility by the aviation industry and environmentalists. The proposal, which still has to be adopted by EU member states and the European Parliament, would see emissions rules imposed from 2011 on intra-European flights and from 2012 for flights originating outside the bloc. Aircraft carbon dioxide emissions account for only about three percent of the global total but they have increased by 87 percent since 1990, according to the Commission, the EU's executive body.So I ask why isn't more being done about it? It is just as serious andthe same as emissions emmited by other forms of transport, so why aren't there more conrols being enforced?
Sunday, 4 March 2007
Green concerns over aviation plan
By Paul Rincon BBC News Online science staff
Stansted expansion could destroy surrounding woodlandEnvironmentalists are disappointed by many proposals in the UK Government's White Paper on Aviation and say other measures do not go far enough.
Tackling pollution and noise while coping with fast rising demand for air travel is a major challenge.
But the construction of new runways, particularly the one proposed for Stansted, would destroy hectares of ancient woodland, say campaigners.
Air passenger growth is expected to continue at levels of 3-5% per year.
Climate warming
Friends of the Earth claims this will push up the aviation contribution to the UK's carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) emissions to 10-12% by 2020 - from the current 5%.
If these figures prove correct, this may make it difficult for Britain to meet its commitments under the Kyoto Protocol to reduce the emissions of those gases thought to be warming the planet.
IMPACT OF EXPANSION ON POLLUTANTS
Heathrow: would affect 35,000 people (exceeding EU limit)
Stansted: would affect 20 people
Source: Department of Transport Already, ministers are having to grapple with how the expected growth in road traffic can be accommodated within the demands of the climate pact.
The group claims the boom in air travel is sustained partly because the aviation industry pays no tax on the fuel it uses and argues that this amounts to a subsidy.
In the long term, Friends of the Earth has been urging the UK Government to commit to a tax on fuel for domestic flights.
A "congestion charge" on airlines would give ministers up to £9bn to invest in public transport and safer streets, according to the group.
In the short term, it has been pushing for the government to increase air passenger duty. But ministers reportedly thought the duty did little to persuade airlines to conserve fuel or cut pollution.
IMPACT OF EXPANSION ON NOISE POLLUTION
Heathrow: would affect 333,000 people (up 26,000)
Stansted: would affect 8,000 people (up 2,000)
Source: Department of Transport Friends of the Earth said some of the alternative economic measures proposed in the White Paper, such as greenhouse gas trading schemes and differential landing charges at airports according to noise levels and air quality, had potential.
But it accused the government of abandoning its environmental responsibilities.
In a statement, Sir Tom Blundell, chairman of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution, expressed his disappointment with the White Paper.
"Earlier this year, the government published an Energy White Paper setting out its strategy for tackling global climate change, and set challenging but necessary targets for greenhouse gas emissions.
Stansted expansion could destroy surrounding woodlandEnvironmentalists are disappointed by many proposals in the UK Government's White Paper on Aviation and say other measures do not go far enough.
Tackling pollution and noise while coping with fast rising demand for air travel is a major challenge.
But the construction of new runways, particularly the one proposed for Stansted, would destroy hectares of ancient woodland, say campaigners.
Air passenger growth is expected to continue at levels of 3-5% per year.
Climate warming
Friends of the Earth claims this will push up the aviation contribution to the UK's carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) emissions to 10-12% by 2020 - from the current 5%.
If these figures prove correct, this may make it difficult for Britain to meet its commitments under the Kyoto Protocol to reduce the emissions of those gases thought to be warming the planet.
IMPACT OF EXPANSION ON POLLUTANTS
Heathrow: would affect 35,000 people (exceeding EU limit)
Stansted: would affect 20 people
Source: Department of Transport Already, ministers are having to grapple with how the expected growth in road traffic can be accommodated within the demands of the climate pact.
The group claims the boom in air travel is sustained partly because the aviation industry pays no tax on the fuel it uses and argues that this amounts to a subsidy.
In the long term, Friends of the Earth has been urging the UK Government to commit to a tax on fuel for domestic flights.
A "congestion charge" on airlines would give ministers up to £9bn to invest in public transport and safer streets, according to the group.
In the short term, it has been pushing for the government to increase air passenger duty. But ministers reportedly thought the duty did little to persuade airlines to conserve fuel or cut pollution.
IMPACT OF EXPANSION ON NOISE POLLUTION
Heathrow: would affect 333,000 people (up 26,000)
Stansted: would affect 8,000 people (up 2,000)
Source: Department of Transport Friends of the Earth said some of the alternative economic measures proposed in the White Paper, such as greenhouse gas trading schemes and differential landing charges at airports according to noise levels and air quality, had potential.
But it accused the government of abandoning its environmental responsibilities.
In a statement, Sir Tom Blundell, chairman of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution, expressed his disappointment with the White Paper.
"Earlier this year, the government published an Energy White Paper setting out its strategy for tackling global climate change, and set challenging but necessary targets for greenhouse gas emissions.
EU tackles aircraft CO2 Emissions
Most of the permits will be issued to airlines for nothing Airlines operating in the EU should pay for any increase in their carbon emissions above current levels, the European Commission has proposed.
Commissioners called on the industry to make a "fair contribution" to the fight against climate change.
But environmentalists said the measures were too weak to make much difference.
Charges are "step forward"The commissioners' idea is to bring internal EU flights inside the bloc's emissions trading scheme from 2011, with other flights following in 2012."
The aviation industry generally welcomed the plan.
"Aviation emissions need to be brought under control, because they are rising very fast," said Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas.
"Since 1990, they have gone up about 90% and, by 2020, they are going to be doubled, if business continues as usual."
SINS OF EMISSION
Aircraft produce about 3% of EU CO2 emissions - more than refineries or steel plants
They also emit nitrogen oxides which lead to the formation of another greenhouse gas, ozone condensation trails, which can develop into cirrus clouds, may also have a warming effect
International experts say aviation will account for 5% of total warming in 2050
The emissions trading scheme only covers CO2
Charges are "step forward"
The commission says 46% of this expected growth in aviation emissions - or 183 million tonnes of CO2 per year - would be saved if its plan was implemented in full.
However, a large part of the saving would be achieved by other participants in the emissions trading scheme (ETS), which would sell emission allowances to the airlines.
The plan would work by issuing airlines with emissions allowances, mostly free of charge, based on their average carbon use between 2004 and 2006.
An airline that cut its emissions would be able to sell its surplus permits, while one that increased emissions would have to buy extra permits from industry or from other airlines.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6195567.stm
Commissioners called on the industry to make a "fair contribution" to the fight against climate change.
But environmentalists said the measures were too weak to make much difference.
Charges are "step forward"The commissioners' idea is to bring internal EU flights inside the bloc's emissions trading scheme from 2011, with other flights following in 2012."
The aviation industry generally welcomed the plan.
"Aviation emissions need to be brought under control, because they are rising very fast," said Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas.
"Since 1990, they have gone up about 90% and, by 2020, they are going to be doubled, if business continues as usual."
SINS OF EMISSION
Aircraft produce about 3% of EU CO2 emissions - more than refineries or steel plants
They also emit nitrogen oxides which lead to the formation of another greenhouse gas, ozone condensation trails, which can develop into cirrus clouds, may also have a warming effect
International experts say aviation will account for 5% of total warming in 2050
The emissions trading scheme only covers CO2
Charges are "step forward"
The commission says 46% of this expected growth in aviation emissions - or 183 million tonnes of CO2 per year - would be saved if its plan was implemented in full.
However, a large part of the saving would be achieved by other participants in the emissions trading scheme (ETS), which would sell emission allowances to the airlines.
The plan would work by issuing airlines with emissions allowances, mostly free of charge, based on their average carbon use between 2004 and 2006.
An airline that cut its emissions would be able to sell its surplus permits, while one that increased emissions would have to buy extra permits from industry or from other airlines.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6195567.stm
Friends of the Earth
Our Climate is changing-and it’s happening faster than we could ever have imagined.
The European heatwave in 2003 caused 26,000 premature deaths. Scientists predict that by 2040 this kind of heatwave will happen every two years.
Floods, hurricanes and droughts have increased threefold since the 1960s. The homes of over 4 million people in England and Wales are at risk from flooding.
The World health Organisation estimates that about 160,000 people die every year because of the effects of global warming.
Sea levels are forecast to rise by 88cm by 2100 sweeping away the homes and livelihoods of around 100 million people globally.
The warmer climate is killing wildlife and the Arctic is warming twice as fast as the rest of the world, threatening already endangered species like polar bears.
We have to stop it-and we can
Scientists overwhelmingly agree that these changes are mainly due to human activities. They are caused by factories, power stations, transport systems and homes pumping quantities of carbon dioxide and other climate change gases into the atmosphere. But the situation is not yet hopeless, because if people are causing the problem, then people can solve it.
We can make the government act
All the UK parties are committed to cutting carbon dioxide emissions by 60 per cent by 2050-but emissions have been rising. There is a danger that every government will put off necessary action until it is too late, unless they are legally obliged to take action now. That’s why we are campaigning for parliament to pass a climate change law requiring cuts of three per cent every year. The law would provide an impetus for new investment in clean energy such as solar and wind power; clean up inefficient, polluting technologies; and bring major gains in energy efficiency.
The European heatwave in 2003 caused 26,000 premature deaths. Scientists predict that by 2040 this kind of heatwave will happen every two years.
Floods, hurricanes and droughts have increased threefold since the 1960s. The homes of over 4 million people in England and Wales are at risk from flooding.
The World health Organisation estimates that about 160,000 people die every year because of the effects of global warming.
Sea levels are forecast to rise by 88cm by 2100 sweeping away the homes and livelihoods of around 100 million people globally.
The warmer climate is killing wildlife and the Arctic is warming twice as fast as the rest of the world, threatening already endangered species like polar bears.
We have to stop it-and we can
Scientists overwhelmingly agree that these changes are mainly due to human activities. They are caused by factories, power stations, transport systems and homes pumping quantities of carbon dioxide and other climate change gases into the atmosphere. But the situation is not yet hopeless, because if people are causing the problem, then people can solve it.
We can make the government act
All the UK parties are committed to cutting carbon dioxide emissions by 60 per cent by 2050-but emissions have been rising. There is a danger that every government will put off necessary action until it is too late, unless they are legally obliged to take action now. That’s why we are campaigning for parliament to pass a climate change law requiring cuts of three per cent every year. The law would provide an impetus for new investment in clean energy such as solar and wind power; clean up inefficient, polluting technologies; and bring major gains in energy efficiency.
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