Aviation Emissions

Aviation’s Contribution to Overall Emissions

Aviation’s contribution to the overall CO2 emissions is relatively small in comparison. Statistics from the Air Transport Action Group show that “The global aviation industry produces around 2% of all human-induced carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions” (“Facts & FIGURES”, 2016). When compared to road transportation, “Aviation is responsible for 12% of CO2 emissions from all transports sources, compared to 74% from road transport” (“Facts & FIGURES”, 2016). In terms of efficiency, “the new Airbus A380, Boeing 787, ATR-600 and Bombardier CSeries aircraft use less than 3 litres of jet fuel per 100 passenger kilometres. This matches the efficiency of most modern compact cars” (“Facts & FIGURES”, 2016).

Another thing to consider, is that “around 80% of aviation CO2 emissions are emitted from flights of over 1,500 kilometers, for which there is no practical alternative mode of transport” (“Facts & FIGURES”, 2016)

United Nations’ Agreement

The UN’s agreement sets carbon emission limits on international flights. Joan Lowy states, “Airlines that exceed that limit in future years, as most are expected to do, will have to offset their emissions growth by buying credits from other industries and projects that limit greenhouse gas emissions” (2016). These limitations will begin in two phases, “the first phase of the airline agreement… is voluntary [and] covers 2021 to 2027” (Lowy, 2016). Lowy continues that “Some countries were still trying to decide whether to participate in the voluntary phase” – Russia currently does not plan on participating in this phase (2016). The agreement “becomes mandatory from 2028 through 2035” (Lowy, 2016).

The agreement is supposed to limit carbon emissions, and reward those that do so; however, the carriers are already expected to exceed the amount allowed. As Lowy states, “Airlines that keep their emissions down through more fuel efficient planes and aircraft operations will spend less on carbon credits. But since aviation is growing rapidly, emissions growth is expected to far outstrip increased efficiencies” (2016)

Paris Agreement, and the new Elected Administration

President-elect Donald Trump has spoken against the Paris Agreement, previously stating that “he would ‘renegotiate’ the global agreement involving nearly all countries” and later stated “the US would pull out” (“Donald Trump would cancel”, 2016).

Under the Paris Agreement, “countries decide for themselves what their emissions cutting commitments will be” (“Donald Trump would cancel”, 2016). This means that if “President Trump doesn't put emissions cutting regulations into place, no one could force him to” (“Donald Trump would cancel”, 2016). However, “If Trump withdraws from it, as he has promised, it will take four year before the US actually leaves” (Hale, 2016).

Are these Laws Necessary?

I can agree with the law to a degree, trying to be more efficient and have less CO2 emissions is in no way a bad idea; however, 1. I’ve never really been on the “global warming” bandwagon in the past, and 2. I feel that they are focusing on the wrong industry. As mentioned, road transportation produces 74% of transport CO2 emissions. Seems like you would want to focus your efforts there instead. “A third of the operating costs of airlines is spent on fuel (“Facts & FIGURES”, 2016), so it’s already the goal of airlines to be more efficient and burn less fuel.

References:

Donald Trump would 'cancel' Paris climate deal. (2016, May 27). Retrieved from
            http://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2016-36401174

Facts & FIGURES - Air Transport Action Group (ATAG). (2016, May). Retrieved from
            http://www.atag.org/facts-and-figures.html

Hale, T. (2016, September 09). The Paris Agreement will survive President Trump. Retrieved
            from http://www.climatechangenews.com/2016/11/09/the-paris-agreement-will-survive-
            president-trump/

Lowy, J. (2016, October 06). UN agreement reached on aircraft climate-change emissions.
            Retrieved from http://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2016-10-06/un-
            agreement-reached-on-aircraft-climate-change-emissions