Aviation emissions up

Wednesday 07 February 2007
From Green Consumer Guide (UK).

Recently released emissions data from the Government shows a rise in CO2 output from the aviation sector, a situation that green group Friends of the Earth claim should force a change in environmental policy for the industry. The data adds to the already significant pressure to abandon airport expansion proposals.

Between 2004 and 2005 the domestic aviation sector’s carbon dioxide emissions rose by 7.1% due to an increased number of flights, while the level of aviation fuel used from 1990 to 2005 more than doubled.

“These figures show that the Government is still failing to tackle climate change. Carbon dioxide levels are higher than when Labour came to power, despite repeatedly promising substantial cuts,” said Friends of the Earth’s Mike Childs. “Aviation is the fastest growing source of carbon dioxide in the UK. Emissions have more than doubled since 1990. The Government must do more to ensure that the cost of flying reflects the environmental damage that aviation causes, and it should abandon plans to allow new runways to be built.”


Read the article.