Aviation & Environment Conference for Australia Following the success of the inaugural Greenskies Aviation Environment Conference held in Sydney in November 2007, the Australian Aviation Council (AUSAC) will host a follow up conference. “Greenskies 2008” , Australia’s only dedicated Aviation and Environment Conference, will be held on 8 and 9 December 2008, in Sydney, Australia. The Board of AUSAC seeks your support for Greenskies 2008. We are pleased to invite you to:
- attend Greenskies 2008 (with very special rates for AUSAC members); and
- support Greenskies 2008 with sponsorship. The event will attract extensive attention.
Currently, no issue is of more pressing interest and importance to our industry than the environment; specifically, aircraft carbon emissions and their consequences. This issue impacts all levels of the aviation system, from commercial jets, to airports, air navigation services providers, suppliers and regional, general and recreational aviation. At Greenskies 2007 there was consensus that achieving real reductions in aircraft carbon emissions should be through the introduction of coordinated emission trading schemes, and that short term measures to meet 2020 targets do not impede the financial viability of airlines and manufacturers to invest in new technology. The aviation industry provides a fundamental link in the transport supply chain for tourism, international trade, regional development and the social connections so vital for a vast and remote country like ours. And, although the industry has done more than any other in terms of reducing its environmental impact over the last 4 decades, there are still measures that can be introduced now that would produce further immediate reductions, for example, better airspace management. AUSAC sees an urgent need to focus in at least three key areas:
- Firstly, in emission trading schemes, AUSAC recognises that Australia’s major airlines have made significant steps in voluntarily introducing reduction measures. However, the take up by the public is still well below the required levels to meet the 2020 targets. AUSAC seeks the support of the Commonwealth Government in encouraging establishment of an industry led coordinating body to help formulate airline emission trading schemes;
- Secondly, AUSAC recommends fast-tracking initiatives developed by Airservices Australia and Australia’s major airlines to introduce more advanced air traffic management; and
- Thirdly, AUSAC sees an urgent need for increased investment in new technology aircraft in the short term to replace older less efficient aircraft with cleaner more efficient new generation aircraft, and investment in technologies that cut aircraft carbon emissions. AUSAC supports proposals for introducing accelerated depreciation schedules for new aircraft, in order to encourage aircraft operators to expedite the introduction of next generation aircraft.
AUSAC President, Peter Harbison, recognising that the Australian airline industry and many other sectors of the aviation industry are keen to take action to address their responsibilities to global warming, said: “But there is currently no central body to coordinate meaningful action, nor are there adequate incentives in place to encourage investment in new technologies. “As a consequence, responses are fragmented and less likely to result in successful outcomes. AUSAC was established to provide this role; the vital issue of climate change needs a coordinated industry voice and AUSAC is convening Greenskies 2008 to help encourage that process. “For many years, Australia has been a world leader in aviation and on the issue of global warming and industry stakeholders are anxious to play their part on the world stage to address the issue of greenhouse gas emissions. Failure to do so poses one of the greatest risks to the industry’s future and thousands of Australian jobs,” Mr Harbison said. |
