E1.1 Introduction ... 137 E1.2 Environmental Management Plan ... 138 E1.3 IATA Recommendations... 140
Section E2: Social and Political Considerations
E2.1 Introduction ... 141 E2.2 The Importance of Partnerships... 141 E2.3 Sustainable Development... 142 E2.4 Airport Stakeholder Partnerships and Initiatives ... 143 E2.5 IATA Recommendations... 144
Section E3: Noise
E3.1 Introduction ... 146 E3.2 Aircraft Noise ... 146 E3.3 IATA Recommendations... 151
Section E4: Emissions
E4.1 Introduction ... 152 E4.2 Airport Emissions from Aircraft... 152 E4.3 IATA Recommendations... 154
Section E5: Waste Management
E5.1 General ... 155 E5.2 Waste Treatment ... 156 E5.3 IATA Recommendations... 156
IAT
A
CHAPTER E — ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES SECTION E1: MAIN ISSUES
E1.1 INTRODUCTION
Since the second World War, air transport has grown into one of the world's most important and innovative industries, driving economic and social progress. It has brought employment and prosperity
to millions of people while expanding world trade and increasing opportunities for travel and tourism. The air transport industry is committed to meeting its customers' growing demands in a sustainable manner, thereby maintaining an optimal balance between economic progress, social development and environmental responsibility. This means balancing the needs of passengers, society, the economy and the environment, as well as making the best use of existing facilities while addressing the challenge of new developments.
In delivering these benefits, air transport has had less of an impact on the world's environment than most people realise. Indeed, by continually improving its fuel efficiency, reducing noise and introducing
new, more sustainable technologies, airtransport has been able to reduce or contain its environmental
impact:
•
Carbon dioxide (C02) emissions: Continuous improvements in aircraft engine technology havereduced C02 emissions per passenger-kilometre (pkm) by 70% since the advent of the first jets
in the 1960s, to the extent that the fuel consumption of most modern aircraft does not exceed 3.5 litres per 100 pkm. Industry research efforts are aiming to achieve a further 50% reduction in C02 emissions for equipment entering service in 2020.
•
Nitrogen oxide (NOx) and other emissions: Improved fuel efficiency has also meant that otheremissions (such as carbon monoxide, hydro-carbons and smoke) have come down by some 90% or more. The higher temperatures required to achieve these improvements have, however, prevented similar progress from being achieved in the reduction of NOx emissions, which have
implications for both local air quality and climate change. Ambitious research goals in the European
Union and elsewhere are targeting a reduction of NOx emissions of future aircraft by 70% within
10 years, and by 80% within 25 years.
•
Noise: Today's aircraft are typically 75% quieter at take-off or landing than the first jets in the1960s. Research efforts are targeting a further 30% reduction within 10 years and a 50% reduction
by 2020.
•
Land use: Air transport generally uses less land than other transport modes. For example, perpassenger-kilometre, air transport uses less than 1 % of the land required for the entire transport
network in the European Union.
In spite of these achievements, and the technological progress that lays ahead, the continuous and growing demand for air travel tends to increase air transport's absolute contribution to climate change.
Aviation emissions presently account for some 3.5% of man's contribution to global warming and could grow to 5% in 2050, according to the most probable scenario as identified by the IPCC1.
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E1.2 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN
Airports are increasingly being held to account for their energy use, emissions and effects on the environment, and many are introducing efficiency measures in the context of planning. An environmental management plan is the first step for airports seeking to implement environmental improvements, as it provides the framework for an airport's environmental management activities. The purpose of such a plan is to ensure that activities undertaken at the airport are carried out in an environmentally-responsible manner; ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations and best
management practices, as well as with respect for community and public concerns.
The following are environmental considerations to be taken into account when developing a new airport or an environmental management plan:
Airport design: The design of an airport is important, since each airport and its corresponding
infrastructure is designed for specific passenger or aircraft movement capacities. Legislation and
airport slot allocation subsequently control that capacity. The scope for environmental improvement at an airport is determined by its physical layout in terms of the terminal and airport
buildings, facilities, taxiways, runways and their associated infrastructure.
For example, the provision of high-speed aircraft exits shortens aircraft taxiing time, and thereby helps to prevent ground congestion — while the provision of fixed electrical ground power (FEGP)
and ground power units (GPUs) at gates and maintenance areas helps to reduce noise and emissions. Rail access to airports can help take cars off the road, thereby reducing local emissions
and improving the environmental balance.
Ecology and natural habitat: Airports are often located in greenbelt areas. They therefore
have
a role to play in the preservation and enhancement of the biodiversity of their surrounding areas by maintaining and restoring these habitats and creating new ones where they have been damaged. This could include, for example, involving local schools in a tree-planting scheme, or complementing local authorities' work in the local community.
Emissions: Managing local emissions involves both technical and operational changes relating
mainly to road vehicles and to aircraft operations at, and close to, the airport. Solutions can include:
•
Modifying road access to the airport to minimise congestion, or to provide dedicated publictransport routes.
•
Discouraging private vehicle use through the construction of remote or centralised car parks.•
Encouraging greater use of public transport, providing electric charging stations for vehicles,etc.
Energy consumption: Energy reductions within airports can be achieved in a variety of ways,
including technical improvements and raising staff and business partner awareness through environmental campaigns. The former can include: