The European aviation safety agency has released its European Aviation Environmental Report 2022 on the occasion of the Net Zero Emissions day. The report gives a comprehensive overview of the current environmental performance of the aviation sector. Going forward, the report also provides leads and measures to curtail the noise and air pollution created by the aviation sector. The report looks at the historic and future scenarios of air traffic, and the latest scientific understanding of these impacts before focusing on five main impact mitigation areas: technology and design; sustainable aviation fuels; air traffic management - operations; airports; and market-based measures.
Welcoming the report as a key instrument to support evidenced-based policy-making, European Commissioner for Transport Adina Vălean, said: “Considerable action has already been taken since the last edition of this report in 2019. This is reflected, for instance, in ever lower CO2 emissions per passenger kilometer and improved noise performance of aircraft. But the report shows scope to go further with Sustainable Aviation Fuels showing particular potential, in line with our EU policy approach.”
EASA Executive Director Patrick Ky stated: “Safety is a core element of the culture within the aviation sector and this commitment is reflected at all levels to ensure successful and effective business operations. The European Green Deal means that these same principles now need to be applied to the strategic issue of environmental protection, to ensure the long-term viability of the industry. EASA stands ready to play its role in achieving this.”
As per EASA figures, the number of flights across the European subcontinent dropped from 9.3 million in 2019 to respectively 4.12 million and 5.07 million in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic. However, longer-term trends show an upward spike in the number of flights over the next three decades, the report forecasts about 12.2 million annual flights by 2050. At this rate the aircraft CO2 emissions will potentially rise to 188 million tonnes, stressing the need to be extra vigilant about environmental protection.