Environmental Impacts Of Co2 Emissions Within Uk Aviation

Environmental Impacts Of Co2 Emissions Within Uk Aviation

1.0 Introduction

The government of the United Kingdom has declared its commitments towards environmental impacts arising out of the aviation industry. The notable issues of environmental impacts include air pollution, noise to the neighboring community, destruction to wildlife and the general landscape and heritage. The reduction of the emission rates of carbon dioxide to the extent of 60% is also an important issue with target set in 1990 to 2050. According to the believes of majority climate scientists, tougher targets should be put in place which should be accompanied by swift actions aimed at reducing climate impacts. However the Aviation White Paper of UK government has set some policy framework in favor of chief expansion in the aviation activity that is set to facilitate for the increase in movement of air passenger from 200 million to 470 million during the time period 2003 to 2030 (Hansen, 2005). Easy accessibility by air therefore becomes one of the most preliquisite issues for a country that aspires to be a first class world leader international destination.

2.0 Aim

To investigate environmental impacts and Co2 emissions within UK aviation analyzing the impacts of East Midlands Airport in the local community.

Aviation is a significant industry in the UK that facilitates the transportation of more than 235 million people along with more than 2.3 million tones freight on annual basis. Demand for these important services is anticipated to go up calling for a long term framework for the purpose of balancing the delivery of the social as well as economic benefits associated with aviation. This is coupled by a requirement for cutting down the mitigation of environmental impacts that are linked to air transport along with air development. With a continued development of a desirable and diversified premium tourism product, this destination has always been able to meet the needs of an important and ever expanding audience (EU press release, (2006).

2.1 Objective

Explore the environmental impacts in UK aviation Industry.

Analyze the environmental impacts on the local community within the East Midlands Airport.

2.2 Explore the environmental impacts UK aviation Industry.

The contribution of the emission rate of carbon dioxide by air travel has been estimated to range between 3 and 5 % on an international context. In this context, the environmental impacts of importance include air pollution, noise to the neighboring community, destruction to wildlife and the general landscape and heritage. and how its affecting the UK aviaition industry The air travel is on a continuous increase at the time that steps of cutting down the rates of carbon dioxide emission are being taken through out other industry. This trend consequently is seen to make the air industry as the largest unitary contributor to the damage in the environment along with global warming in the planet. Considering that the UK has consented to the recent policy dealing with imposing heavy penalties and heavy taxations on offenders, the policy has been gauged to less effective in as far as the air travel is concerned. The passage figures in the UK are anticipated to grow two fold comes 2020 (Davis, 2002). The levied tax is anticipated to be felt by the 25 member countries in the EU with further even application to all the flights that shall arrive in UK coming from extra destinations. An alternative scheme exists in relation to the tax. This scheme would require for the purchasing of the carbon credits by the airlines that is used in a direct manner to pay for the quantity of carbon that has been utilized (Sunyer, 2001). Based on Contraction in addition to convergence profiles there are all indications to the effect that changes in carbon emissions arising out of the sector are highly needed if the sector has to contribute in a proportionate manner to keeping of atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration within the required limits

2.2 .1 Aviation and carbon targets

According to the policies of the government, carbon reduction by a magnitude of 60 % by the year 2050 is applicable to UK domestic emissions due to an absence of an amicable agreement on allocation of global aviation emissions to the national inventories. On condition of incorporating aviation in the domestic emissions under the UK ETS or consequently based on international ETS, a great possibility of achievement of the 60 % rate of reduction by the year 2050 in the UK is anticipated. In case the emissions from aviation are added to the baseline along with the target, then the applicable emission reduction standards achievable by the year 2050 would come to 35 %. However, achieving such goals calls for intensive and adequately integrated government policies which UK aviation Industry have duly adopted.

Source: Environmental Audit Committee60%.

The local environmental impact of aviation

The aviation industry causes significant environmental impacts which affect the local residents around airport vicinities and under the paths of the flights. Among the most notable environmental concern of aviation is noise followed by air pollution that affects the health of the people. Great concern has been expressed of air pollution that is caused by aircraft and transport based on land. Noise causes significance annoyance to the people and also damages health. It causes significant distractions of life quality and disturbs the quietness and peace that people enjoy. It also causes significant damage to wildlife and the ability of learning in schools. Significantly huge sums of money are spent in militating against noise in addition to noise abatement. The noise caused by aircraft has been an issue of great concern to the residents around airports together with the under flight paths despite the efforts of adopting quieter aircraft along with engine technology. The noise caused by aircraft has been a matter of controversy. The aviation industry has been talking of a rapid shrink among the noise footprint i.e. the people who are exposed to the problems associated with noise but the concerned residents have always disputed this fact claiming that the data used to arrive at this conclusion is outdated. All aspects of the noise caused by aircraft have caused a lot of disagreement (Environmental Change Unit, (2006).

2.3 Analyse the environmental impacts of East Midlands Airport on the local community.

A number of environmental impacts of East Midlands Airport on the local community are notable. They include the aircraft noise, disturbance of sleep, disruptive behavior and aircraft cabins health. One crucial feature associated with air travel relates to the fact that considering that majority benefits arising from aviation are evenly shared by the society in general, most of the arising adverse effects are unevenly distributed to the society. The people residing around the airports are confronted with the immediate effects of noise from the airports. Other problems include the quality of air together with high levels of road congestions. In some cases, urbanization arising out of the development of airports adversely impacts the surrounding habitats as well as landscape (Turner, 1994).

The exhaust gas pollutants that are emitted by aircraft is trapped in the upper troposphere together with the lower stratosphere. The resulting consequence is the interaction of the emission to these atmosphere regions that are usually sensitive causing an alteration in the ozone layer. This is accompanied by the concentration of methane that results to the formation of contrails (Environmental Change Unit, 2006).

Specific atmospheric impact of aviation emissions have been at the centre of several research projects carried out by NASA, the European Environmental commission and the Germany research ministry. A recent report on aviation and global atmosphere released by IPCC helped compile several evidences and has shed some light on the subject. Radioactive forcing has been used in the report to investigate the effects of various pollutants on the atmosphere. According to the report, the most important aviation related factors affecting the atmosphere are:

Sooth aerosols

Contrails

Methane

Sulphates

Water vapor

Ozone

Cirrus clouds

This special report by IPCC concludes that aircraft emission in 1992 was responsible for 3.5% of the total radiative emission. The conducive geographical and historical back ground forms the ice on the cake as far as UK aviation Industry development is concerned. The government commitment in terms of intervention and significant expenditure allocation on UK aviation Industry is strongly ascribed to. The government has achieved world attention through intensive campaigns and promotions from around the world.

A positive impact of East Midlands Airport on the local community which relates to economic impact of aviation industry. With regard to this issue most residents around the East Midlands Airport have a strong feeling that the industry development has brought about positive changes in employment opportunities as more locals are being employed in the industry.

2.4 Role of regulatory bodies in reducing environmental impacts

Regulatory bodies in reducing environmental impacts have got a duty to play in the fight against these emissions. One important body that is charged with this role is BAA. BAA has emerged to be the largest airport operator in the world. The institution oversees the management of seven airports in Britain besides having stakes in airports in continental Europe, Australia and the USA. BAA has had a sound approach to corporate responsibility and this is enshrined in its belief that environmental protection is core to its survival in the long run. Corporate responsibly is at the same priority level as financial profitability and both are viewed as the key drivers of the long term value. BAA has recognized that while airport operations can create a lot of economic benefits, they can also create adverse social and economic impacts and in order for it to grow it has to address these impacts.

The development of new terminals represents an opportunity to show how corporate responsibility can bring about innovative approaches which will ultimately reduce these environmental impacts. One of the major initiatives in reducing carbon emissions from aircrafts has been launched by the Airport Operators Association. Developed by BAA, the program offers guidelines to airline operators on how to cut carbon emissions. The initiative is aimed at capturing the best practices across the board with greater future expectations.

This innovative program clearly spells out the practical steps that can be undertaken to combat effects of carbon emissions. Among the strategies mentioned is use of electrical ground power pre-conditioned air. This will help save 100000 tones of carbon dioxide emission per year.

The Civil Aviation Authority, CAA has also played vital role in reducing the environmental impact on aviation. This body has been concerned about the noise disturbance, the quality of air and the change in climate arising out of aviation activities. Addressing all these issues could lead to sustainable development failure to which economic constraints with regard to growth would result. This is the major concern of CAA which advocates for aviation to pay for external costs on environment. The CAA has offered support to this objective and has corperated with other nations to come up with stringent international standards with respect to aircraft noise and emissions from engines, the improvement of land use planning, abatement of operation procedures and the market instruments encouraging quieter as well as cleaner aircraft usage

The issues raised in the government white paper clearly depicts the booming growth in aviation industry and the fact that the public is gaining awareness of environmental impacts that are posed to the planet. The economic benefits associated with aviation are cherished by the government but the issues of global warming are accelerating. Communities residing around the airports are exposed to high degrees of noise plus air pollution coupled with more congestion on the road as well as the rail network. The government white paper therefore intends to identify the amicable solutions to such issues and a conflict has been noted that needs the government resolutions. The government has fallen short of plans for management of the growth and the correct balance between costs and benefits has been lacking.

Another important body that plays a vital role in reducing environmental impacts is Environmental Protection as stipulated in the government white paper. This is achieved through bringing together several organizations in the public, the private as well as the voluntary sectors for the sake of promoting a balances as well as an innovative approach geared towards gaining of understanding as well as seeking solutions to the existing environmental problems. This is achieved through development of policy in addition to education. The body has a lot of experience in environmental campaigns, provision of public information, production of educational resources and formulation of policies. The membership of the body includes the policy makers, regulators as well as practitioners from the local authorities, developers, academicians, consultants, interested NGO’s and industries. Environmental Protection also anticipates the implementation of seamless functionality that will increase the level of convenience (Wallace & Houghton, 2005).

In an attempt of looking in to the issue of the environmental impacts of East Midlands Airport on the local community, the airport has launched an environment zone. Among other tasks this initiative will help the airport authorities address environmental issues and promote its achievements. This new environment zone is highly welcome in several quarters as it will add value to the airport’s long term commitment to fighting environmental pollution for the interest of the local residents around the airport. As part of its strategy the airport will employ education where both the staff and passengers will be thought on the importance of environmental conservation (Duflo, Greenstone & Hanna, 2008).

The initiative will allow both passengers and staff to fully partner with the airport’s authorities through issuance of educational messages which are designed in such a way that they are easy to red. In the last twelve months the airport has made substantial progress in its environmental commitment. This is evidenced by its launch of massive projects and initiatives which will help it achieve its targets of carbon neutrality.

Some of these carbon friendly projects and initiatives include construction of a Willow Farm for provision of fuel for heating terminal building, use of electric cars and use of wind power for provision of energy. The biodiversity in the airport’s vicinity is also set to improve safe for the developments on the airport’s ten kilometer nature trail which harbors several kinds of mammals, amphibians and birds. Besides these projects, the airport has its own waste collection and disposal system (Wentz, et al., 2007).

And to ensure that the surrounding community has more say in the Airport activities, the airport has come up with a consultative committee. The committee meets after every three months in a year and draws its membership from local authorities, airport staff and organizations representing local communities.

The East Midlands Airport is operating a Landscape Strategy that covers several initiatives all aimed at incorporating the Airport site to the local landscape and offering unrestricted access to the surrounding community to enjoy and benefit from the operations of the airport.

Noise and air pollution have therefore become a major issue of concern to the local East Midlands community. The airport aims at minimizing the pollution arising from its operations but then it is highly likely that the expansion of the airport will impact negatively on house prices (Nakicenovic, et al, 2001).

Local residents and environmental scientists have held high profile meetings with council officials to discuss noise pollution at East Midlands Airport. The residents were concerned when the airport announced its proposal to extend the runway to about three kilometers and this forced them to seek audience with the district council officers. The airport wanted to increase its 2,893 meters runway by 190 metres. If the planning application is approved it would allow large aircrafts to use the airport and will also allow existing aircrafts to carry more cargo thereby making the airport’s freights more profitable (Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution, (2002).

2.5 Recommendations for East Midlands Airport to reduce environmental impacts to work in the line with the government policy.

Personal responsibility is a very important issue in trying to address the issue of reducing environmental impacts to work in the line with the government policy. There is a need of exerting some pressures to the airlines geared towards the genuine reduction of carbon emissions. The public has the duty of demonstrating important concerns arising out of air travel whenever it becomes imperative. It is undisputed fact that some people have to fly and they therefore need the services of the European travel to fulfill their business and leisure needs. It is however important to consider the available and functional alternatives to meet these needs where applicable. The use of coach and the rail is a viable option available to the serious travelers. These are the best options as compared to the long haul flights for distant destinations. This leads to a decrease in demand for customers booking air flights that send a strong message to aviation industry of a need for the improvement in the aeroplane technology. The aviation industry is among the sectors that are most dynamic in the context of global economy. There is a need for improving the level of technology and operations which will lead to a sustainable management of emissions for a better future (Harte, et al., 2006).

In an attempt of adopting the relevant measures by East Midlands Airport to reduce environmental impacts it is important to consider adoption of balances as well as measured approach considering the future of aviation industry in the UK. The approach should be designed in a manner of catering for the demand that has been forecasted to cater for the rise in demand. This consequently shall prop up economic prosperity in the entire country while at the same time it shall enable all people including the ordinary man to access the facilities of transport by air at costs that are reasonable. This is coupled with appropriate steps geared towards the mitigation and the management of environmental impacts arising out of aviation while at the same time making sure that the costs that are allied to the services are an actual reflection of the real price for aviation travel. The strategy is also intended at minimizing innovative development in airport through the best utilization of the available facilities together with specific policies (Ramanathan & Carmichael, 2008).

Nevertheless, it is still possible to get to several European destinations using rail and coach and as the discounted season goes through it makes using a bus or rail an alternative option for all types of traveling. Aviation industry is one of the most important and dynamic sectors determining the course of the global economy. Technological advances and operational improvements have lagged far behind its growth. The obvious consequence of this will no doubt be an increase in emissions. Carbon emissions are expected to increase up to 13 times by the year 2050 while the irradiative actions of aviation would rise up to a factor of 4 to 12 by the year 2050. The aviation industry may be indebted for 5% – 15% of radiative emissions by 2050, relative to the current levels of 3.5%. In a nutshell the challenges posed by climate change in the northern hemisphere are of importance due to their effects in affecting levels of ozone concentration.

Conclusion

In almost all cases, aspects pertaining to aircraft noise have been the subjects of intense disputes. The choice of a specific form of noise has an influence on the extent to which noise is seen as a problem. Measures which put special emphasis on peak events can reveal serious noise problems. Studies have shown that air pollution by cars and industries have declined in the recent past but emissions from aircrafts have soared. Majority of the airports have been found to be greatest emitters of radiations all over the world. It is the duty of airport authorities therefore to consider mitigating such environmental impacts for the benefit of the community.

Other aspects of the airport’s continued commitment to environmental sustainability include reduction of environmental impacts and improvement of green transport alternatives for passengers, while at the same time checking the operation’s impacts on the neighboring communities. Environmental management has become an issue of major concern in the airport’s operational strategy. Nevertheless the airport’s strategy has been to see sustained growth while at the same time attending to the grievances of the local communities in Nottingham East Midlands Airport

2.6 Bibliography

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Ramanathan, V. & Carmichael, G., 2008, “Global and regional climate changes due to black carbon”. Nature Geosciences 1: 221–227

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Wallace, D.& Houghton, J., 2005, “A guide to facts and fictions about climate change”. UK Royal Society website. pp. 3–4.