Big emission sacrifices needed for aviation growth
September 17th, 2009
The British Govt’s official climate advisers, the Climate Change Committee (CCC) is warning the UK may have to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2050 so the aviation sector can continue to grow. It will mean even bigger cuts than an 80% drop on 1990 levels already planned for households and industry in Britain. However, the committee also says global aviation emissions should be capped during the forthcoming Copenhagen climate talks.
The committee says the aviation industry will have to cut emissions from planes back to their 2005 level by 2050. This is much more permissive than the overall UK target of cutting emissions 80% on 1990 levels by 2050. The failure of aviation to play its full part could mean the rest of the economy has to reduce its emissions by 90% instead of 80%.
The committee members see alternatives: Planes might use bio-fuels or aviation might cut emissions below 2005 levels through new technology. Plane operators might also be able to buy emissions permits in international emissions trading. The CCC’s recommendations are designed to reduce aviation emissions in line with a global reduction in emissions of all greenhouse gases of 50% by 2050. It says that, if left unchecked, global aviation could account for 15-20% of all the man-made CO2 produced in 2050. The committee recommends all CO2 emissions from aviation should be capped.
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