Running head: SUSTAINABLE AVIATION

Sustainable Aviation
Justin Bechaver
Drexel University

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Planes play a major role in todays society, transporting humans and cargo all around the
globe. With such a reliance on aviation as a source of transportation, the environmental impact
this industry has had is now in the lime light. Some staggering numbers have been posted by the
Air Transport Action Group (ATAG) that look at the industries overall footprint. These numbers
state there were 37.4 million commercial flights globally in 2014, and 25, 332 commercial
airplanes in service (ATAG, 2014). This is a substantial number when looking at environmental
impact because you must consider the amount of fuel it takes to move these planes. 273 billion
liters or 72.2 billion gallons of fuel were utilized in 2014 according to ATAG (2014), resulting in
a significant production of CO2 from engine exhaust. While planes do produces large amounts
of CO2, in the scheme of human production, airplanes produce 2% or 705 million tons (ATAG,
2014). Although it may appear insignificant when looking at the big picture, it is a noteworthy
amount when you consider aviation being a single mode of transportation and only one industry.
Understanding there is an environmental problem, the aviation industry has agreed to
some environmentally friendly changes developed by the International Air Transport
Association. In an attempt to decrease their environmental impact, the industry has taken on the
challenge of reaching, an above average annual fuel efficiency improvement of 1.5% to 2020,
carbon neutral growth from 2020, and the aspirational goal of a net 50% reduction in 2005
carbon dioxide emission levels by 2050 (TIACA, 2008). It may seem like a long time frame,
but sustainable aviation is not something that can happen overnight. This is evident in the
strategy of Sustainable Aviation. They state, Sustainable aviation is a long term strategy which
sets out the collective approach of UK aviation to tackling the challenge of ensuring a
sustainable future for our industry (Sustainable Aviation, 2014).

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With goals set, finding ways to become green is currently were the aviation industry has
found themselves. Sustainable Aviation (2012) feels as though governments need to get involved
in order to decrease CO2 emissions. They mention such ways as working internationally to
increase the efficiency of air traffic controlling, developing sustainable fuels, and developing
more efficient engines and aircrafts (p.2). TIACA (2008) suggests reducing every flight by just
one minute would allow for a decrease in CO2 emissions by 4.8 million tons. A huge impact
when considering how little would have to be done to achieve this decrease. Current research
suggests that bio fuels produced from feedstock can possibly reduce CO2 emissions by 50-80%,
as the plants that are used to produce these fuels absorb CO2. Utilizing feedstock for biofuels
creates a continual process. Plants are grown with very little resources and land, harvested to
create fuel, burned as a fuel source in airplanes which create CO2, the CO2 is then absorbed by
feedstock (TIACA, 2008). It is a very efficient process once the ball is rolling.
Many may not consider noise as a means of pollution, but airplanes were traditionally big
offenders of noise pollution. Since the creation of commercial jets, the industry has seen a 90%
reduction in noise, or approximately 30 dB (TIACA, 2008). The FAA did research to determine
the amount of people effected by airline noise with the amount of flights doubling for this time
period, and found it was approximately 7 million in 1975 and only 300,000 in 2009. Other
modes of transportation such as trains and automobiles contribute more significantly to noise
pollution than planes at this time (ATAG, 2014).
Manufacturers within the industry such as Rolls-Royce are doing their part to add to the
sustainability of the industry. Recently they have found ways to recycle and reuse parts from
planes. These parts are typically made of exotic aerospace alloys which require raw materials
and various resources to produce. It is estimated that around half of an airplanes engine can be

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recycled, processed, and successfully reused in the same context. Once repurposed, the metals
are just as safe as when they were originally produced. This helps reduce the need for raw
materials and the companys environmental impact. They electricity they save can power an
estimated 1.8 million homes for a day and reduce CO2 emissions by 9,000 tons for the year
(ATAG, 2014).
The aviation industry has plagued the globe with its insatiable need for raw materials to
build and fuel planes, along with the overwhelming production of CO2. Minor in the scheme of
its environmental impact, the noise produced by airplanes has also polluted the world we live.
Unable to live without the conveniences and capabilities of aviation, the industry has put into
place many practices that will eventually green the industry. In an attempt to decrease
environmental impact, the aviation industry has created, researched, and found new ways to limit
further destruction of the environment we love.

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References
Air Transport Action Group. (2014). Aviation Benefits Beyond Borders. Retrieved from
http://www.garfors.com/2014/06/100000-flights-day.html
Garfors, G. (2014). 1,000 Flights a Day. Retrieved from
http://www.garfors.com/2014/06/100000-flights-day.html
Sutainable Aviation. (2014). CO2 Road Map. Retrieved from
http://www.sustainableaviation.co.uk/
The International Air Cargo Association. (2008). Our Environmental Commitment. Retrieved
from http://www.tiaca.org/tiaca/Environment1.asp
Artifact
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIgV2m0vDys
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6s4CX180N5A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEh5cpdFDQs
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_impact_of_aviation#/media/File:C141_Starlifter_contrail_crop1.png
http://www.sdcommission.org.uk/data/images/transport/five_challenges_diag__challenges_diagram_large.jpg
http://www.tiaca.org/tiaca/Sustainable_Aviation_Biofuel.asp
http://www.sustainableaviation.co.uk/about/

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