Airlines under pressure to turn skies green

By Fiona Harvey, Environment Correspondent
Published: July 14 2008 03:00

The European Parliament last week approved a measure that will be the biggest environmental constraint yet placed on airlines anywhere in the world.
They voted to include air traffic in the European Union's emissions trading scheme from 2012. All flights taking off or landing within the EU's borders will be included.
Airlines, including non-EU carriers, will be issued with permits to produce carbon dioxide. In the first year, they will be issued with enough permits to cover only 97 per cent of their estimated emissions, based on previous levels. From 2013, that will fall to 95 per cent. Airlines will be issued with most of their carbon permit allocation for nothing, but will have to buy 15 per cent of their quota at auction, a proportion that may rise.
The US has vowed to fight the measure in the international courts. Airlines, too, joined the chorus of protest.
The European Commission remains determined to push ahead with the plans. Shipping and other transport may be covered in future.
Airlines account for about 3 per cent of Europe's greenhouse gas emissions, but that is rising, as air travel is forecast to double across the EU by 2020. Green campaigners say the sector is the fastest-growing source of emissions, and their effect is under-estimated because greenhouse gases from aeroplane engines have a more damaging effect on the climate when emitted at a high altitude.
The prospect of having to cut emissions has concentrated minds on environmental questions.
Bill Glover, managing director of environmental strategy for Boeing Commercial Airplanes, says there has been much more emphasis on technologies that would "help the industry continue to improve its environmental performance".
He says: "In terms of noticeable developments [in the past year], I would say [there has been] increased industry unity around environmental issues, including signing an industry declaration among aviation leaders; strong progress in efforts to identify renewable forms of sustainable biofuel plant sources, [including a] successful demonstration flight with [Virgin Atlantic Airlines] and GE Aviation, and the first flight powered entirely by fuel-cell technology."
The Virgin test flight fulfilled a promise by Sir Richard Branson to investigate ways to use biofuels - those derived from plants - in aircraft. Although the technology could become important, many aircraft makers are wary of controversy over biofuels, which have been blamed for raising the prices of food.
However, research is under way to find methods of producing biofuels from waste products such as straw, so-called "secondgeneration" biofuels.
Aircraft makers seek to improve the efficiency of their engines and body designs all the time, and high oil prices have given an impetus to this effort, says Kevin Bell, managing director of the aerospace and defence group at Bearing Point, the consultancy.
There are two main ways to do this: to concentrate on changes to engine design, or to look at the airframe.
He explains: "The airframe is historically built out of metal, but there is a move to use more modern materials such as fibreglass and carbon composite. Using those lighter materials means you are hauling less weight across the sky."
Other technical developments include making engine blades capable of operating at higher temperatures, which can be used in conjunction with a more efficient combustion process, says Mr Bell.
But airlines need not wait for fancy new engines or aircraft bodies to make fleets more efficient. Substantial savings can be wrung from more frequent maintenance, he says. "The more effective the maintenance schedule, the more efficient the craft will be in operation."
Moreover, the aircraft itself is only part of the story. Flying techniques can make an enormous difference to how much fuel an aircraft uses - and therefore its rate of emissions.
Pilots can be trained to make gentler ascents and descents, while air traffic controllers could save an estimated 10 per cent or more of greenhouse gas output by how they route aircraft.
Mr Glover believes the industry is getting to grips with climate change. He says: "The two most important things the industry can do - aside from new technology development - are: First, to help guide the establishment of a global emissions standard versus regional ones. Second, to help move the transformation of the global air traffic management system forward."
Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2008