Airlines are demanding the rewriting of a global agreement designed to cut aviation carbon emissions in wake of coronavirus crisis

Should we be surprised? The International Air Transport Association (IATA), the global trade association for airlines, claimed a scheme to offset any rise in emissions would place an “inappropriate economic burden” on operators already struggling with the impact of the worldwide Covid-19 lockdown. But climate campaigners have said any bailouts should come with environmental strings … Continue reading Airlines are demanding the rewriting of a global agreement designed to cut aviation carbon emissions in wake of coronavirus crisis →

European airlines are demanding relief from environmental taxes because of coronavirus crisis

Laurence Frost and Kate Abnett write on the Reuters website about the efforts by European airlines to demand relief to help them through this crisis. Laurence Tubiana, CEO of the European Climate Foundation, is quoted saying that policymakers need to “sit back, make the right choices and not lock in the fossil-fuel economy.” What are … Continue reading European airlines are demanding relief from environmental taxes because of coronavirus crisis →

Even the best airlines are not doing anywhere near enough to reduce their carbon footprint

In a week when a court decision has halted the expansion of Heathrow Airport in London because climate change had not been factored in, it is useful to review what airlines are doing to reduce their carbon footprint. Susanne Becken, Professor of Sustainable Tourism and Director, Griffith Institute for Tourism at Griffith University gives a … Continue reading Even the best airlines are not doing anywhere near enough to reduce their carbon footprint →

Following the progress of the development of electric power planes

There are encouraging signs in developing electric passenger jets. Karl West writes in The Guardian that this will be the next electric power revolution. Electric passenger jet revolution looms as E-Fan X project takes off Trains, ships and automobiles have all been swept along in recent years by the electric power revolution – and … Continue reading Following the progress of the development of electric power planes →

Aviation and the energy transition

While we are starting to see some technical advances, aviation is still a major concern as we look for every opportunity to reduce GHG emissions. Ryan Katz-Rosene, assistant professor at the University of Ottawa’s School of Political Studies writes a good article in the Policy Options website about the policy dilemma. The policy dilemma … Continue reading Aviation and the energy transition →

In search of more sustainable aviation fuel

Policymakers have struggled to know what to do about emissions coming from the aviation sector. Aviation has rapidly expanded in recent decades as our desire to travel to the four corners of the globe grow and grow. Simon Blakey, Senior Lecturer of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Sheffield writes on The Conversation website about … Continue reading In search of more sustainable aviation fuel →

‘Fat and slow’ aircraft may bring many benefits to remote regions

It is always great to see some new innovative technologies. Dianne Buckner writes on the CBC News website about energy-efficient aircraft built by a Canadian company that will serve in remote regions. You should enjoy. 4 Canadian part-solar flying machines sold to Africa Photo from http://www.solarship.com Look up in the sky! It's … Continue reading ‘Fat and slow’ aircraft may bring many benefits to remote regions →

Starting to target airlines in our climate change strategies

Many have argued that air transport has been given too free a ride in pushing for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. It is complex because it is international in scope and complicated to address. It is encouraging to see in an article by Associated Press that the Obama administration has taken the first steps to … Continue reading Starting to target airlines in our climate change strategies →

EU less ambitious than US to regulate emissions from airplanes

Europeans are normally proud that their climate change policies are amongst the most ambitious globally. There was concern recently that the Volkswagen emissions test scandal was first identified by US regulators. Now, Arthur Neslen writes in the Guardian that the EU wants less stringent emissions standards than the US for new planes built after 2020. … Continue reading EU less ambitious than US to regulate emissions from airplanes →