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Industry environmental challenges

The air transport industry's (ATI's) global challenge is to manage traffic growth while reducing the environmental footprint. To meet this challenge, the ATI and governments are taking two complementary approaches:

• Operational improvements that reduce environmental impact
• Regulatory obligations and compliance

A cap-and-trade approach would enable the ATI to continue operating, and even potentially to emit more than the cap, as long as it finds industries on the market that have managed to reduce their emissions.

SITA's role

As a leader of air transport communication and IT solutions, SITA recognizes its responsibility in creating long-term value for its stakeholders, while at the same time fostering sustainable development for the ATI. Wishing to underline its belief, SITA has signed the public declaration on Aviation Industry Commitment to Action on Climate Change. See www.enviro.aero/declaration from the 3rd Aviation & Environment summit, 22 April 2008, in Geneva, Switzerland.

Making a concrete step in this direction, SITA launched in 2009 the new Aircraft Emissions Manager (AEM). This service provides the industry with a comprehensive community-based product that simplifies environmental compliance with the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS), while minimizing costs and impact on existing IT infrastructures for airlines.

Noise pollution and CO2 emissions

Increased pressure to reduce noise emissions also affects the environment. Technology to reduce noise adds weight, and thus pollution. Fuel-efficient engines increase noise, resulting in a trade-off between noise and CO2 emissions.

What about bio fuels?

Several ATI players are exploring ways to accelerate the development and commercialization of sustainable new aviation fuels. The objective is to enable the commercial use of renewable fuel sources that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions while lessening the ATI's exposure to oil price volatility and dependence on fossil fuels.

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