The vital importance of aviation as a key driver of global trade and tourism, and as a major direct and indirect contributor to the global GDP has again been emphasised by the Nigeria born former president of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Council, Dr Bernard Olumuyiwa Aliu.
Delivering a paper on ‘African Commitment To Sustainability In Aviation’, at the just concluded seventh Aviation Africa Summit and Exhibition in Abuja, he called on all nations and peoples of the world to ensure they have accessibility to the socioeconomic benefits of aviation.
According to Aliu, for small island developing states and landlocked developing countries in particular, air transport connectivity is fundamental to their prosperity and socioeconomic integration into the world community, and ultimately the attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Aliu acknowledged the fact that despite the enormous economic, social and cultural benefits of air transport around the world, there exists a tendency by some to criticize aviation for its negative impact on the environment.
While appreciating the fact that the more the growth and benefits generated through aviation, the more pollution it brings to the global climate, he described as very crucial for all stakeholders to fully support the international aviation sector’s global targets of “improving fuel efficiency by two percent per annum; the medium-term aspirational goal of keeping global net carbon emissions from international aviation at the 2020 level; and the collective long-term aspirational goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Under ICAO’s leadership, states and the aviation industry continue to work towards these goals.”
He declared that success in this endeavour ultimately depends on global cooperation where no country is left behind in terms of equitable access to air transport and to the development of its civil aviation sector where every ICAO member state is encouraged and supported in contributing to global environmental objectives.
He questioned the role developing countries should play in the drive to global aviation environmental sustainability,saying: “Should they only focus on the development and growth of their aviation sectors and leave climate mitigation measures to others? Also, which countries can still be classified as developed and developing under current global economic dynamics? Which are the leading or developed aviation nations? Can a State be considered a regional, continental and/or global leader without demonstrating leadership and commitment in resolving major global challenges, be they socio-economic, political, peace and security, technological innovation, and climate related?”
Aliu who charged all the African countries especially those pursuing global relevance and leadership on the need to ask themselves the questions, noted “in this regard, active involvement and participation in climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts represent not only a challenge but a tremendous opportunity for access to global partnerships and financing, capacity development, and technological advancement. This is particularly pertinent and timely given the ongoing environmental sustainability programmes in the global aviation sector. So where are we at today? “
Emphasizing how CO2 emissions performance standards for new generation aircraft engines, coupled with efficient aircraft operational measures such as performance-based navigation including flexible direct routing and continuous climb and descend operations are helping to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce emissions, Aliu said this in turn reduces operational costs for airlines which can then offer attractive fares resulting in increases in passenger traffic and revenues.
“So, everybody wins, passengers, the aviation industry, and the environment. In addition, the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation known as CORSIA acts as a gap-filler market-based measure to help aviation operators offset their emissions without unduly stifling growth.”
According to him, though not mandatory for most African States and airlines to participate in CORSIA, the scheme however offers opportunities for African countries to be the sources of eligible green projects that can generate carbon credits to be purchased by the major airlines.
Ultimately, he said, the effective solution to aviation environmental challenges is through in-sector carbon emissions reduction rather than through carbon trading.
“We should therefore applaud ongoing research and development of zero emission propulsion systems using innovative sources of energy in air transport such as hydrogen and renewable electricity. We should also support current emphasis on the promotion of lower carbon aviation fuel technologies. Still, the general view is that the Sustainable Aviation Fuel or SAF option offers the best potential in the immediate future for meeting the collective long-term aspirational goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
The ICAO member who confirmed that the safety of flights using SAF is proven, noted that as an emerging sector, SAF offers broader attainable opportunities for new entrants, hence “It is rather appealing to developing countries wishing to diversify their economy, broaden their technical knowledge and expertise, and advance their technological development while effectively contributing to the reduction of aviation emissions. If lower carbon aviation fuel is a low hanging fruit for developing and emerging economies with robust oil and gas industries, SAF should be of particular interest to non-oil producing countries.There are other reasons for adopting the SAF strategy.
“Several feasibility studies have demonstrated that most States can participate in, and benefit from, the development and deployment of SAF in a socially responsible and ecologically friendly manner, including in the production of feedstocks and the refining, storage, and distribution of SAF. Moreover, in many countries, public attitude, especially among younger generations, is more sensitive to climate change issues. People are more likely to patronizing companies and organisations that promote sustainability and climate mitigation in their operations. Sustainability will likely become not only a social responsibility imperative but a crucial factor for economic sustainability for operators.”
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