| The Climate Change challenge for airport operators
The issue of climate change is recognised as the single greatest threat to humanity.
It is now accepted by both scientists and policy makers that, if we are to avoid irreversible and dangerous changes in the Earth’s climate, the global mean temperature rise needs to be limited to a maximum of 2°C above pre-industrial levels. There is an international consensus on the need to drastically cut greenhouse gas emissions in the 21st Century. For example the UK, German and Japanese Governments have set 80% reduction targets for CO2 emissions (over 1990 levels) by 2050 to make their contribution to the global challenge. Climate change is therefore a very real challenge for all sectors of the global economy but especially for aviation as emissions from the sector are forecast to grow for the foreseeable future Airports, as part of the air transport system, need to and can facilitate carbon reductions. Despite projected growth it is possible to improve carbon intensity in the following areas: • Ground transport • Direct energy use • Waste production • Food and water consumption • Capital equipment • Air traffic movements |
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