http://www.clickgreen.org.uk/events/events/123343-global-aviation-sector-commits-to-support-a-sustainable-future.html
As people worldwide are becoming aware
of more environmentally friendly ways to consume and live, businesses are also
catching on to the green wave – both for ethics and to fulfill the demand for
green products. A prime example is the
recent upsurge in production of gas-efficient or gas-electric hybrid cars. Many car commercials highlight the car’s fuel
efficiency as a sellable feature of the car.
Nonetheless, the car industry remains extremely competitive and unified
efforts between companies to truly raise the standards of car eco-friendliness
are meager.
While consumers keep their heads
down, however, an industry up above is making impressive changes. In terms of eco-friendliness, the aviation
industry is one that many consumers have ignored. Even though a commercial jet can produce more
carbon dioxide in one domestic flight than an SUV produces in a month, there
has not been high consumer demand or campaigns for more environmentally friendly
airplanes. Whether this is because
aviation travel is far less frequent than car travel or there is a lack of consumer
knowledge of airplane emissions, the aviation industry has appeared to
understand that. The aviation industry
is taking environmental friendliness into their own hands. At a meeting in Geneva on March 22, 2012,
chief executives from 16 global aviation companies signed the Aviation &
Environment Summit’s Declaration as a message to world governments that are going
to meet at Rio de Janeiro for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development
in June. The declaration is meant to
show the world governments that the global aviation industry – including airports,
airlines, aircraft producers, and air navigation providers – is making a
unified effort towards sustainable development.
In 2008, the aviation industry was the first global sector to commit to
global cross-industry action on climate change.
Unified action across the aviation industry has already led to drastic
reduction in fuel use and emissions. The
aviation industry is also a key leader in economic growth and connectivity of
world markets, as a main facilitator of the world tourism industry. However, in order for the aviation industry
to continue its impressive environmental track record, it requires the
cooperation of world governments so that the industry can avoid competitive distortions
and truly create a global effort towards efficiency.
As we witness the global aviation
industry perform this important feat amongst world governments, it is important
to notice the important role that politics and money play in environmental
efforts. This case brings us into the realm
of environmental anthropology dealing with the competition of larger bodies of
people in relation with the environment.
Why aren’t companies within other industries unifying to boost
sustainable development? As accustomed
the world is to economic and political competition, to what extent are we going
to push the world’s resources and health before we focus on a global effort
towards sustainable development and environmental friendliness?
It is encouraging that the companies are examining economic issues with respect to preserving both jobs and the environment. This are two components of the economic sector that have a large impact on a large number of people, but that are often overlooked, (whether deliberately or intentionally). It is also refreshing that the different companies are exhibiting such unity. While it could just as easily be fed by competition and wanting to be as “green” or sustainable (and consequently more attractive to a certain demographic of customers) as their competitors, the cooperation is still a positive results and a more effective way to achieve large-scale change. It is also a good point that they additionally need government support to avoid competitive distortions. Ofuga makes a good point about consumer demand. I have not encountered many campaigns for more environmentally friendly airplanes, so it is good that the airlines preempted such wishes and cooperated amongst themselves to initiate changes. Because airlines operate on such a large scale and are so global, any changes they make can have a huge impact.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Leed13 that it is refreshing to see companies join together to promote more sustainable practices for the good of the environment and not for an up on the competition. It never crossed my mind to think of airlines as being a large pollutant, but with all of the fuel it is using, it makes sense. I think I can attribute my lack of knowledge or concern to the relative infrequencey with which I fly (compared to driving a car). I feel that this is the reason for many people to have a lack of concern or knowledge of the threat. I feel that environmentally friendly people look to make changes in their every day lives, reducing airplane emissions is not a byproduct of these every day habits. That is not to say that it is not a pertinent issue; for it is a huge one.
ReplyDeleteAlso, with a unified effort instead of individual change, it is harder for airlines to refuse for it makes casts a negative shadow on them.
Although I agree with what's been said so far, another factor in the mix could be the degree to which the consumer is responsible for paying extra costs incurred by "unsustainable" cars, i.e. lots of money spent on gas. Although I do think people pay more attention to "green" cars because they use them more, I think one of the main reasons there is a consumer demand for them is because, in the end, they are mutually beneficial in that they also save the consumer money. Although the aviation industry is joining together in their efforts to be more environmentally-friendly, I could see the possibility of competition in the "greenness" of airlines in the future. I would envision advertisements for particular airlines that highlight the ways in which better fuel efficiency lowers ticket prices for flyers. This may not be a bad thing, however, if it is actually leading to more sustainable air travel and lower prices for air travelers.
ReplyDeletefascinating article. good job.
ReplyDeletefascinating article. good job.
ReplyDelete