The aviation industry, scientists and environmentalists will gather in London tomorrow (6 May) to debate whether aviation capacity can be expanded sustainably.
Much of the Aviation and Climate Change Summit will be devoted to the latest advances in technology and how they can help promote sustainable aviation growth within stringent environmental limits, for example in relation to noise levels.
The key topics for discussion will include biofuels, the Emissions Trading Scheme and ways in which the aerospace, transport and environmental sectors can work more closely together.
Robert Nuttall, Vice President, Rolls Royce plc, will say:
“Aeroplane engine technology is able to improve carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and noise as a package. Technologies already on the drawing board show potential to reduce carbon dioxide by 30%, nitrogen oxide by 60% and noise by 15 to 20 decibels by 2020.”
He is also due to tell the conference about the Rolls-Royce Open Rotor project, which will enable a single aircraft to save carbon dioxide equivalent to planting 250,000 trees.
Christian Dumas, Vice President, Sustainability and Eco-Efficiency, Airbus, will say:
“The role of aircraft design and innovation is crucial in reducing aviation's carbon emissions. We are very positive about the future.”
Sir Roger Bone, President UK, Boeing, will say:
"The benefits of aviation are often overlooked in the broad environmental debate in the UK and even more so the role that the industry is playing in terms of achieving a carbon neutral growth path. The industry's efforts, vigorously supported by Boeing are wide ranging and include aircraft development, improvements to air traffic management systems as well as the development and trials of biofuels."
On the regulatory framework within which the industry operates, Charles Grant, Director, Centre for European Reform, will say:
“The EU is currently developing a complex and sophisticated tool – the Emissions Trading Scheme – to limit them. ETS will factor in a price for carbon which will give airlines and aircraft engine manufacturers incentives to introduce low-carbon technologies as soon as possible.”
Speakers at the conference, which is chaired by the broadcaster Lucy Alexander, will include Boeing UK President Sir Roger Bone, Centre for European Reform Director Charles Grant and Air Transport Action Group Executive Director Paul Steele.
The summit takes place on Wednesday 6 May 2009 from 9am - 1pm at The British Library, Euston Road, London.
Presentations from the event are available at http://www.transporttimes.co.uk
