30/07/10, 05:39:58 EDT

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South Africa: Airline Sector Rejects Pollution Tax

allafrica.com

THE global airline industry, which until now has been exempt from reducing greenhouse gas emission targets set under the Kyoto Protocol, could soon be forced to comply with the regulations or face a pollution surcharge.

The European Union (EU) last week voted in favour of including the aviation industry in its emissions trading system by 2011.

This means that all airlines flying in or out of the EU airports -- including foreign airlines -- will be required to reduce carbon dioxide emissions 10%. Heavy polluters will face hefty fuel taxes.

Military planes and aircraft weighing less than 20000kg will be excluded, the European Commission says.

The aviation industry is regarded as especially polluting because of the large amounts of fuel used at high altitude. T he industry accounts for more than 2% of emissions globally but environmentalists say the figure will reach 5% by 2050 due to the current air travel boom.

"Aviation emissions need to be brought under control because they are rising very fast," EU environment commissioner Stavros Dimas said recently.

"Since 1990, emissions have gone up about 90% and by 2020 they are going to be doubled if business continues as usual."

UK-based environmental group Friends of the Earth supports the imposition of a tax on aviation fuel, a move the organisation says will cut the number of people flying and so help the environment.

"Aviation is a rogue sector, and its environmental impact is out of control," Friends of the Earth's director Tony Juniper told the UK's Independent newspaper.

According to environment lobby groups, the airline industry produces close to 3% of carbon dioxide emission -- more than refineries or steel plants. Airlines also emit nitrogen oxides, which lead to the formation of another greenhouse gas, ozone.

Environmentalists believe that condensation trails, which can develop into cirrus clouds, also have a warming effect.

"No one is under- estimating the challenge of implementing policies to deal with climate change, but the failure of all governments to think about international aviation and shipping has led to a serious under- estimation of the actions necessary," says the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change at Manchester University.

The airline industry says it supports the reduction of emissions but is opposed to the idea of charging pollution taxes.

The International Air Transport Association (Iata), representing more than 240 airlines comprising 94% of scheduled international air traffic, says the EU's unilateral decision to include airlines in its emissions trading scheme is "counter- productive", and contravenes international civil aviation agreements.

"Europe's go-it-alone approach on emissions trading is counterproductive. Regional schemes will have, at best, limited impact on the environment," says Iata director-general and CEO Giovanni Bisignani.

He says taxes on fuel will increase the airlines' already high operating costs.

Jet fuel accounts for 28% of the industry's costs.

Bisignani says airlines have introduced practical measures to reduce emissions. These include saving up to 15-million tons of carbon dioxide by shortening flying routes last year alone.

Airlines are also investing heavily in new, fuel-efficient aircraft.

"What have Europe's politicians contributed to this achievement?" asked Bisignani.

"I don't see the European Parliament planting many trees but somehow they have got lost in the woods."

Transport Minister Jeff Radebe also questions the EU's decision and the efficacy of imposing pollution taxes on airlines.

"SA, like the majority of contracting states, believes that the inclusion of air transport under the banner of emissions trading within a broader international solution is the most effective and economically efficient mechanism for dealing with carbon dioxide emissions from air transport," says Radebe.

"We support a long-term strategy driven by the (United Nations') International Civil Aviation Organisation to limit air transport's climate change contribution, based on robust science, sound economics and well-developed policy instruments."

The US-based aircraft modification and consulting firm AeroTech Services says wing modifications on the Boeing 737 Classics (the -200, -300, -400 and -500 models) can reduce fuel consumption and emissions up to 4% in normal flight conditions. The company says the modifications enhance the aerodynamic efficiency of the aircraft's wings, reducing fuel burn.

The Boeing Classics are the largest fleet of commercially used aircraft in the world, with more than 2600 in operation.

 Printable Version  | published Nov 20, 2007