Environmental Impact of Aviation Essay Example for Free

Environmental Impact of Aviation EssayToday, the world is fazed by the environmental issues reverberating in different parts of the world. Part of this environmental issue is cogitate on global warming. As part of the whole worlds response on the big relate, laws and policies gravel been drafted. Some of the known environmental policies are Clean Air Act and the Kyoto Protocol. Meanwhile, the Kyoto Protocol is an discernment between different nations, mainly industrialized, adopted on December 1997 in Kyoto, Japan (United Nations Framework principle on Climate Change, 2008). The central function of the protocol is to set a target on the nursery gas emission for member countries (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, 2008). This is to further drop the impending consequences of the greenhouse effect. Since the overlay of international scientist that climate change is worsening, every sector of the society and all nations have been invited to participate i n activities primarily to help cut gas emissions. Each government of member nations in addition implemented programs in order to reduce the gas emission that is aggravating the global environment situation.For the erstwhile(prenominal) years, the reality of the phenomenon has been severally debated, even among politicians. Eventually, environment was considered as priority in the policy making. Additionally, the international concern on global warming has reached every sector, big or small, in the society. Among the transmission line sectors, rules and regulations have withal been adopted internationally in order that a standard of environmentally hazardous substances be eliminated or minimized. An example could be the non use of lead. In Europe, the Restriction on Hazardous Substances was adopted and impose upon all its suppliers worldwide (ROHS, 2008).According to the guidelines, minimum amount of the hazardous substances should be maintained. Hence, quality of the product de pends on the substances comprising the product. The environmental issue, however, is non only limited to gas emissions and global warming. Instead it covers all kinds of pollution. In the field of breeze, policies and guidelines on environmental form as well apply. Aviation plays a vital role in transportation. It is the easiest, fastest, and more well-off means in transporting people and goods from one border to another or from nation to nation.Being an natural factor in the growth of economy, it also has an essential contribution to global warming and other environmental problems. Remarkably, the aviation contributes to various environmental problems. One of the major problems faced by aviation industry is the upset pollution being suffered by the residence nearby airports (Kutz, 2008). At present, the aviation is one among the growing business opportunities. Since new and more improved planes have been introduced, the air traffic also increases. As such, there is also int ensification of the environmental concerns.The second environmental problem affecting the industry is the climate change. Climate change is the initiatory environmental phenomenon that is twoering the international community. In addition, it is believed to be the cause of the drastic change in weather and the growth of illnesses. The third major problem being caused by aviation is the poor air quality (Kutz, 2008). on the whole these environmental concerns are mandated by laws to be addressed by the aviation industry. In the field of aviation, blat is widely known for being the worlds leading airport troupe (House of Commons, et.al. , 2004). At present, it is operate eight airports namely Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, S issuehampton, and Naples (BAA, 2008). At present, its success still continues to shine and more developments are being plan in the future. In a deal propounded by the BAA for year 2005-2006, the comp each laid cumulation in detail s the achievements and plans of each airport. Aside from that, it also presented its financial disk operating systemment to show the financial operation of the political party. At a glance, the company has indeed a successful and is in a stable financial status.The over-all operation and employee handling are excellent. According to Mick Temple, Divisional Director, the company recognizes the existence of the environmental issues (Temple). But, the draw of BAA did not actually addressed all issue about environment related to air lane or airport. In addition, the BAA presented its report in a categorical yet orderly manner. after presenting the achievements, developments, and plans of each airport, the BAA also discussed issues faced by the company. It has qualify corporal responsibilities. In scrutinizing the report, the BAA did not actually address all environmental problems.As stated earlier, aviation industry is challenged by problems on poor air quality, noise pollution, and climate change. In the report of the BAA, the report laid down the corporate responsibilities of the company but in a summarized and general form. Although it has addressed all the problems cited, it did not actually specified its future plan, present programs, current status and its over-all stand on the impending environmental problems. In addressing the environmental problem on air quality, the report stated its concern on the problem that is affecting both local and national (Temple).Notably, airports around emits nitrogen dioxide and other fine particles that have negative effect on heath and environment (BAA, 2008). In addition, it has stressed on governments declaration of Heathrows compliance to EU Air Quality Standard (Temple). Contributing to poor air quality, however, are M4 and M25 traffic (BAA, 2008). Likewise, the report exactly added measures it can implement in order to comply with the standard. These measures include investing in world transport, promoting al ternative fuels for airport- based vehicles, and using charges to penalise aircraft with poorer emissions standards (Temple, p.35). However, no other reports were propounded to show that these measures have been adopted. Furthermore, the company merely reiterates its desire to round its emission while extending help to other companies with deliberate to the problem. As to noise pollution, the aviation is considered as one among the major contributor due to noise caused by take offs and landings? taxiing, and engine tests (BAA, 2008). With regard to BAAs stand on noise pollution, the company has laid down its strategies in minimizing the noise.In addition, it stated its desire to work with local government, airlines, and air traffic controllers to jointly implement these strategies. First strategy is the encouragement on the use of quieter new aircraft and engine by the manufacturers (Temple). The second strategy is giving reciprocate to those airlines using a quieter aircrafts. The fourth strategy is the improvement of compliance with quieter operating practices (Temple). The last strategy is relate with updates of information by keeping the noise-sufferers informed better (Temple).Today, the company is doing its part in addressing the complaints of those affected by the noise of airports. Furthermore, on the most relevant environmental issue on climate change, the company proudly stressed its target of 15% reduction on its carbon dioxide emission by 2010, which is even higher(prenominal) than the standard (Temple). The companys strategy is focused on push button efficiency and renewable energy (Temple). Moreover, it has also implied its adherence to Emission occupation which allows business in capable of achieving the target to buy permits from those industries that are capable but only within an overall cap (Temple).At present, the company is lobbying for the recognition of the emission trading to be an acceptable mechanism in greenhouse gas emission. In addition, in its desire to reduce the impact of climate change, the company is move in investing into new energy efficient technology, sourcing out more renewable energy, reducing emissions of vehicles in the airport, among others (BAA, 2008). Based on the above mentioned, the report of BAA whitethorn be said to have mentioned the major environmental problems faced by airlines and airports. However, it was not able to state its impact on environment.It did not also laid down the programs it has adopted to address the issue. But nevertheless, it has accepted its role in the environment. By looking into the context of the report, is can be said that the company has been below the belt assessed. It is unfair on the reason that the report presented more on the developments, future plans, and achievements of the company but did not directly addressed on the corporate responsibilities. It is true that corporate responsibility have been include in the middle part, but there is no c lear stand of the company.The report stressed on the companys plan to expand, increase passengers, intensify investment but there are no more details as to the companys action on environmental issues. Significantly, it did not state any of its achievements in helping in the abatement of the environmental problems. It merely presented it strategies but no update has been included as to the implementation and status of the company. Interestingly, the report of the Managing Directors of each airport has concentrated on the importance of shareholders. Hence, the report was concentrated on the good sides about the company.Airports and airlines are considered as one among the places vulnerable of being attacked by terrorist groups. Notably, in 2007, Glasgow Airport has been attacked by terrorists (BAA, 2008). On that very threatening day, the company has been given an idea on the loopholes on the airports security. It is also of no doubt that millions of passengers and employees come in a nd out of the airport. In line with this, the treat of terrorism has made passenger paranoid about guard. Hence, it is but necessary that safety should be the paramount concern of the company.In response to the attack in July, 2007, the company declared its allegiance in making its passengers secure. As part of its response, the company has closely worked with the Department for Transport (DfT) for guidance on its security measures (Temple). Moreover, in concurrence with the governments standard, the company has conducted a full range review of its security systems (Temple). In order to show its sincerity in making its airports secured and safe, the company has started using expert innovations such as hold-baggage screening, new security screening and x-ray screening (Temple).In line with the companys purpose of ensuring safety and health of its passengers and employees, policies and programs have been adopted. Additionally, according to the report, the companys stance on securit y is that it is considering it as a crucial issue. Aside from its possible effect on the companys reputation, it also recognizes its effect on passengers experiences. As such, the company works closely with the government agencies, armed forces, and police force force in order to upgrade its security system and match with that of government security (Temple). Furthermore, it has committed itself to comply with regulations concerning safety.In accordance with this, the Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE) Executive Committee have been founded with the primary final stage of determining and addressing these issues affecting the company (Temple). With the growing environmental concern, some say that aviation industry is not a sustainable business. However, BAA has proven this statement wrong. In order that environmental issue be addressed and at the same time maintain or increase the profitability of the company, the company may enhance its training on environmental awaren ess to its employees and passengers.In addition, carbon dioxide emission can be reduced through the use of biodeisel and other alternative energy. Moreover, through reducing its flight, the company could decrease its environmental impact but can increase profit because all flights would be certainly be filled. another(prenominal) measure could be on the retail sector. Since the airports are open for stores, environmental measures should also be imposed upon them. Some of the policy that can be adopted is the ban on non-recyclable things. Through this measure, all mess up coming from stores would be put to recycling areas.Finally, the company could enhance its pro- environment policies despite cost on its part. This way, the cost would be repaid by the loyalty and continued patronage of the passengers.ReferencesBAA. (2008). Corporate Responsibility. Retrieved October 31, 2008, from http//www. baa. com/portal/site/nonpayment/menuitem. a875fc32913746f398a5e186c02865a0/. House of Commo ns, Great Britain Parliament Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee. (2004). International Challenge of Climate. London The stationery Office. Kutz, M. (2008).Environmentally Conscious Transportation. London John Wiley and Sons. ROHS. (2008). Restriction on the Use of hazardous Substances (ROHS). Retrieved October 31, 2008, from http//www. rohs. gov. uk/. Temple, M. (2008). BAA one-year Report 2005/06. Corporate Responsibility. Retrieved October 31, 2008, from http//www. baa. com/assets//B2CPortal/Static%20Files/BAA_Annualreport_05-06. pdf. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. (2008). Kyoto Protocol. Retrieved October 31, 2008, from http//unfccc. int/kyoto_protocol/items/2830. php.