Environmental Issues in Business Aviation - Assignment Example

?Environmental Issues in Business Aviation Insert His/Her Insert Grades Insert 27, October, Outline 1. Background Information 2. Thesis statement 3. Environmental issues in Business Aviation technology (Finances or infrastructure, improvements in operations, alternative fuels and market focused measures). 4. Recommendations 5. Conclusion Environmental Issues in Business Aviation Background Information Environmental Issues in Business Aviation Background Information Environment involve the surroundings (ICAO 2011). It is the duty of the human kind to conserve the environment. The business aviation community (International Business 2011) is concerned with the environment and has taken up the measures in order to reduce the environmental dilapidation attributed by the business aviation aircraft operations (GAMA 2010). Aviation sector contributes (2-3%) of the total carbon emissions in the world. Business Aviation contributes (1-1.5%) of the total aviation carbon emissions (2-3%). This translates that business aviation emits only (0.02-0.045%) of the total emissions in the world. This paper will critically examine Business Aviation and efforts done by Business Aviation community to reduce emissions. Environmental issues in business aviation The significant environmental hazards in the Business aviation aircraft industry are the green house emissions and the noise (A Greener Future 2011). These gases emitted by business aviation aircrafts especially carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide (GAMA 2010) creates a layer in the atmosphere trapping heat on the earth’s surface. This heat in turn causes the Global warming (International Business 2011), alters the pattern of precipitation and the pattern of the heat waves. Noise causes annoyance to people; fortunately, current business aviation aircrafts produce less noise as compared to earlier business aviation aircrafts. There is a need to develop lasting solution to the management of emissions. This involves all the stakeholders to play active roles. The approach is best achieved through technology, finances or infrastructure, improvements in operations, alternative fuels and market focused measures. Technology Technology in business aviation is demanding efficiency. Business aviation aircrafts must be as light as possible and consume less fuel as possible. The business aviation has collaborated with other stakeholders in environmental issues work group, business aviation environmental projects, technology enhancements by engine manufactures, aerodynamic enhancements by business aviation aircrafts manufactures, airspace management and technology, voluntary offset programmes, flight department participation and operational measures (GAMA 2010). Establishing common and practical goals in the engine and airframe technology enhancements are particularly vital in the management of environmental issues (GAMA 2010). The engines of today are designed to economise on fuel, produce less noise and emit fewer gases. The business aviation airframes are also built in the sense of reducing noise and carry more weight. This technology commitment is expected to continue; and in the future years, it is expected that business aviation aircrafts will be much lighter and consume less fuel. The emissions have drastically been reduced in the business aviation sector. The current business aviation aircraft engines (GAMA 2010) emit less hazardous gas and produces less noise. A business aircraft produces 3.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide per flight (International Business 2011). The carbon dioxide emissions in one year by all the business aviation aircraft combined produce emissions similar to one medium sized power plant (International Business 2011). Reduction of carbon emissions (ICAO 2011) in business aviation aircrafts is done on various ways, checking on operator practices, air traffic control, engine design, airframe design and use of alternative fuels. Carbon is the principal component. The engines use oxygen to burn the fossil fuel, this emits carbon dioxide and water (GAMA 2010). Finances and infrastructure Finances or infrastructure is a key element in the reduction of emissions. There has been a need to control the business aviation air traffic by improved infrastructure. The modernisation procedures will improve on operational best practices hence reducing fuel usage. The ozone layer plays a vital role in living organisms (GAMA 2010). It prevents harmful rays of the sun forum reaching us. Harmful rays from the sun cause skin cancers in human (EBAA 2011). The business aviation is committed in making sure that we preserve the environment (International Business 2011). The effects of emissions from business aviation aircrafts depend on the altitude. These emissions may have a different effect as compared to ground emissions. The Business Aviation is currently investing in improved business aviation aircrafts. The business aviation industry is committed to eradicating the environmental issues of the time (GAMA 2010). These improvements with time will in turn create awareness in the whole system worked by joint collaborations with outside stakeholders in the minimisation of the environmental hazards. It is the duty of the organisations to conserve the environment and make the world a better place. Business aviation is part of today’s infrastructure (International Business 2011). An airport involves lots of resources and expertise to construct. Improved best practices The climate is changing at an alarming rate. Scientists from all over the world have warned the entire world. The global warming is induced by humans; Business Aviation is one of the contributors of the climate dilapidation. The species are dying out with time, and the ecosystem is getting reshaped (ICAO 2011). This has made life in the world unfavourable for most species. Climate change is one of the greatest challenges in the world. It has been identified by researchers that clouds reflect substantial amount of sun’s rays back to the space. This reflective effect is known as global dimming where less heat and energy gets to the earth’s service (ICAO 2011). The heat from the earth is also trapped from escaping. This heating effect causes the global warming. Business Aviation community has realised the effect and is trying measures in its control to minimise the global warming. The world has identified global warming as a common threat. Business Aviation players and other stakeholders have been faced with a challenge of getting one working solution. It is proposed that the time has come for the nations to act responsibly; global warming affects the world in whole. Every nation must wake up and come up with applicable and reliable solutions on the issue of global warning. Business Aviation involves the entire earth and climate change is a global problem (IATA 2011). The business aviation industry has promoted the international trade. People are capable of moving from one continent to another with ease and within a short time span. The business aviation industry is concerned on the emissions produced by business aviation aeroplanes, and the noise (GAMA 2010). There is a need to address environmental issues and develop permanent solutions to eradicate environmental pollutants. Noise produced by business aviation aircrafts has been reduced drastically with time (International Business 2011). This is done by the introduction of ‘Noise Abatement Program’. The organisations have collaborated with work groups and government initiatives to reduce the noise pollution produced by aeroplanes. This has prompted organisations to have departments specializing on environmental issues composed of the staff and external stakeholders. Communication (ICAO 2011) is a player in any industry, improving communication among the business aviation players will enable the players to set their differences aside and fight the common enemy known as global warming (GAMA 2010). The united business aviation players can make a reliable solution to this problem of environmental issues. Airport operators are assisting in improving air quality by providing electrical power and preconditioned air at cargo gates (A Greener Future 2011). This in turn, enables the business aviation aircrafts to be switched off hence reducing the local air pollution (International Business 2011). Emissions trading schemes under the Kyoto protocol are recognisable means of reducing emissions. Operators minimise their emissions as much as possible hence conserving the environment (GAMA 2010). Achieving a stable environment means that humans must manage the concentrations of greenhouse gases (IATA 2011). This has been the focus in business aviation (ICAO 2011). The business aviation players are working on a system that will see them play an active role in the management of the climate (A Greener Future 2011). The business aviation is mostly concentrating on the noise pollution (GAMA 2010) and emissions by business aviation aircrafts. Alternative fuels There is a need to exploit other sources of reliable sources of fuels. This will be enhanced by encouraged and continuous researches. Industrialized nations have emitted far much of the greenhouse emissions than developing countries; rich economies bear the greatest responsibility in managing the global warming. The rich countries have the responsibility of assisting the developing economies on ways of controlling the global warming (ICAO 2011). Business aviation and other large organisations have set their foot forth and taken measures in the control of the global warming. Industrialized countries have what is known as carbon debt; they have emitted a significant percentage of carbon over the years. The Kyoto protocol to reduce emissions has been implemented at a very slow rate by rich nations. Rich economies are putting pressures to developing economies to agree to the emission targets. The rich economies should walk the talk and implement the Kyoto protocol (International Business 2011). Business Aviation has been trying its best in minimising the amount of carbon emission to the environment. Business aviation is mainly driven by tasks and not a schedule which is applied in commercial aviation (A Greener Future 2011). Business aviation aircrafts enable employees and workers to move from one point to another in the time stated. The business aviation aircrafts; transport commodities and machineries to work sites (International Business 2011). The business flights are guided by the tasks and make it easy to manage the business aviation aircrafts and save on fuel. Market focussed measures Most businesses including the Business Aviation has come to realize the negative of global warming. Most businesses have been ignoring the reality of global warming. The main challenge comes in changing the style of business operations which calls for reduction of considerable profits due to the control measures. Most industries in the developing world are still ignorant on the global warming reality. Environmental levies in business aviation industry also drive significantly towards the conservation of the climate (GAMA 2010). Operators with high emissions are charged heavily, and this reduces their income significantly. These forces them do more research on the best way to reduce the emissions (EBAA 2011). The emissions are mostly composed of carbon dioxide, methane, chlorofluorocarbons, nitrous oxide and troposphere ozone (International Business 2011). Human influence is the most cause of the global warming. There have been many international meetings by business aviation players on global warming. The challenge lies in that the same nations are not willing to control the global warming. This is a common threat that each nation should feel part of it. Business Aviation has been a leader in the reduction of the carbon emissions (GAMA 2010). It has invested in various ways of controlling the emissions of the greenhouse emissions. The failure of the meetings is attributed to the inability for nations to agree on numerous issues. There have been many conferences driven by the need to manage the climate change. The humans have destroyed the environment in various ways. The environmental issues in play are biodiversity, climate change, animal and nature conservation, population, genetically modified food (A Greener Future 2011) and sustainable development. European Union has been in the front line in the conservation of the environment. The business aviation industry for an unusually long time has been considered as a fewer contributor in emissions than commercial aviation. The European Union (GAMA 2010) has regulated greenhouse gas emissions (EBAA 2011). The European Union monitors the business aviation emissions, prepares the aviation emissions and ensures that the reports comply with the environmental set standards. European Union Trading Scheme (ETS) is the body with mandates to regulate emissions in the aviation industry. The main challenge arose when it diverted it attention to be a form of tax collector. Business aviation players have been collecting ideas from the public on the beat mode of controlling emissions. Collective ideas and implementation to conserve the environment are vital in the management of environmental issues (International Business 2011). The ideas generated must be practical and realistic. Humans are different, in this, business aviation players from different areas of the world may come up with varied workable solutions. Acceleration of the global air navigation plan implementation should be considered exhaustively (GAMA 2010). It is a scale of how the business aviation has gone in relation to conservation of the environment (EBAA 2011). It indicates the met targets, and if they are not realised, what is hindering the actualisation of the set goals. The business aviation should standardize the operational processes (International Business 2011). This aspect involves following a set schedule. This will help in making sure that everyone is conversant with the environmental issues. Some people act irresponsibly due to lack of knowledge (GAMA 2010). In my opinion, if business aviation has a single system of operating, this could help in maintaining proper communication channels in the management of environmental issues. The business aviation contributes a minute fraction of the environmental issues (GAMA 2010). This does not mean that the business aviation should act irresponsibly to the control of environmental issues. The business aviation is dedicated to reduction of the greenhouse gases and to the conservation of the environment. The business aviation players have been involved in a series of meetings discussing on the global warming control. Global climate change (EBAA 2011) is a sensitive topic. The today’s generations have realised the importance of conserving the environment (ICAO 2011). The global warming has made the sea level raise, developments of new deserts and many more calamities (GAMA 2010). Trees are necessary in that they absorb considerable percentage of carbon dioxide emitted. Business aviation has the duty of encouraging people plant trees and conserves the environment. There is significant growth in business aviation. The internet has opened up businesses among continents. This means that humans are able to transact business activities within a short while. Business aviation has managed to get substantial market. As more and more business aviation aircrafts aid in the transportation of the goods and services, more and more emissions are realised. This increase has created a platform in the emission control (EBAA 2011). There has been a significant reduction in the quantity of emitted carbon dioxide in the air. This is an improvement. The challenge lies in the increased traffic (EBAA 2011) of the business aviation aircrafts. Business air travel has become the order of the day. People are ever travelling, and business commodities are being transported day in and day out. Conservation of the environment is a tricky topic to handle (International Business 2011). The way forward is vital in order to reduce the environmental issues; agreement by all governments and business aviation operators are necessary. This is difficult to be realised because getting humans to sing the same tune at the same time is not easy. The world must recognise that an emission of harmful gases is a common enemy (International Business 2011). Recommendations Encouraging research (A Greener Future 2011) on the environmental issues in regards to business aviation is a crucial milestone in the management of the environmental issues. Researches must be financed to realise new developments. Research enables growth as new ways of doing same things is devised. Encouraging individualised conservatory approach (International Business 2011) to environmental issues is needed. Humans identify themselves with projects of environment issues and feel part of the process. The necessity of reforestation has been considered as one of the natural ways of controlling the carbon amount in the air. Carbon dioxide is absorbed by trees and oxygen is a by-product of the process of photosynthesis (A Greener Future 2011). The logging of trees has considerably contributed to the global warming effect. There have been minimal efforts in planting trees. Comparison of fuel consumption per data In this paper, we have considered Australia, Finland, New Zealand, Hungry, Iceland and Luxembourg. 1992 Fuel consumption Domestic International Total, difference as % of UNFCCC party UNFCCC AERO UBFCCC AERO UNFCCC AERO value IEA data Australia 56129 81982 69500 118548 125629 200530 59.6 131717 Finland 5442 7982 11452 22027 16894 30009 77.6 17435 New Zealand ------- 10956 19450 37503 19450 48459 149.1 29688 Hungry --------- 0 ---------- 4236 -------- 4236 --------- 3255 Iceland ------------ 0 ----------- 3656 -------- 3656 --------- 3255 Luxemburg ----------- 0 ----------- 7001 --------- 7001 --------- 5797 (United Nations 2003) 1999-Fuel consumption Domestic International Total, difference as % of UNFCCC party UNFCCC AERO UBFCCC AERO UNFCCC AERO value IEA data Australia 59625 109933 105330 172813 164955 282746 71.4 182657 Finland 6561 9631 14946 28627 21507 38258 77.9 22162 New Zealand 11124 13063 28806 52766 39930 65829 64.9 41391 Hungry --------- 0 8424 4727 8424 4727 -43.9 9097 Iceland 448 0 5134 4727 5582 4727 -15.3 5574 Luxemburg ------- 0 ------- 8205 ---------- 8205 ---------- 14402 (United Nations 2003) Statistical analysis There has been increased fuel consumption over the years for the countries. Indicating that there has been increased carbon emission in the air. This carbon emission needs to be controlled to reduce the ‘greenhouse’ effects. This clearly seen in Australia, Finland and New Zealand. This increased; massive release of carbon is experienced in all countries of the world indicating the threat that human interference is creating. Hungry, Iceland and Luxemburg; indicate that there are no major light stages. This is computed by the amount of fuel consumes in the period 1992-1999. Minor domestic flight stages might have been congregated one major flight. Conclusion Global warming effects are irreversible changes. It will take commitment and time to regain the climatic conditions that were there initially. It will be very difficult to manage this process. The reason behind the difficulty lies in the fact that most nations are not coming up with a common system of managing the global warming. The world must come to its senses and implement the Kyoto protocol. Business Aviation has invested considerably in the reduction of the carbon emission. Cited A Greener Future for Flight, 2011. Meeting the climate challenges. [Video online] Available at :< http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xc-cL2E-EPA&feature=player_embedded&list=PLF3F1B99FC2065A%A#!> [Accessed 27 October 2011]. EBAA-European Business Aviation Association, 2011. Environment-Commitment on Climate Change. [Online] Available at :< http://www.eabaa.org/content/dsp_page/pagec/Environment> [Accessed 27 October 2011]. GAMA-General Aviation Manufacturers Association, 2010. Environment. [Online] Available at :< http://www.gama.aero/advocacy/issues/environmet> [Accesses 27 October 2011]. IATA-International Air Transport Association, 2011. Environment. [Online] Available at: [Accessed 27 October 2011]. ICAO-International Civil Aviation Organisation, 2011. ATB-Air Transport Bureau Environmental Branch. [Online] Available at :< http://www.icao.int/env/> [Accessed 27 October 2011]. International business aviation council, 2011. Business Aviation and the Environment. [Online] Available at: [Accessed 27 October 2011]. United Nations 2003, Framework Convention on climate change: Report on compilation of data on emissions from international aviation, pp 5, 6 Read More