Efficiency leads the agenda at 2010 Aviation Environment Summit

The industry-wide effort to reduce air transport’s carbon emission levels took centre stage at the global Aviation and Environment Summit, which featured key participation from Airbus.

This gathering, held last month in Geneva, Switzerland, brought together more than 300 delegates from the aviation industry and representatives of civil society, governments and suppliers to discuss overall progress to date.

The sessions focussed on the air transport sector’s plans to achieve carbon-neutral growth from 2020 and to halve net carbon emissions by 2050 (based on 2005 levels). According to the summit, these goals will be met in part by development of new aircraft technologies, the use of sustainable aviation biofuels and improvements in air traffic management (ATM) – each of which have been championed by Airbus.

“ATM is strategic for Airbus as a manufacturer of eco-efficient aircraft and as a supporter of our customers’ desire to maximise benefits of being at the heart of technological improvement,” Christian Dumas, Airbus’ Vice President of environmental affairs, who took part in the summit’s air traffic management infrastructure panel.

Delegates at the summit also reiterated industry calls to expedite delivery of streamlined air navigation systems, including the Next Generation system in the United States and SESAR (Single European Sky ATM Research) within Europe – both of which would significantly improve aircraft efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.