Academia boosts aviation sustainability debate

Citation

(2007), "Academia boosts aviation sustainability debate", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 79 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2007.12779dab.041

Academia boosts aviation sustainability debate

Academia boosts aviation sustainability debate

Sustainable aviation has become one of the hot political issues with politicians from all sides recently offering policies on combating climate change impacts. All three want a better understanding of what will really make a difference. Cue Omega: a new knowledge transfer plan set to advance the value and pace of evidence brought to the aviation policy table.

Aviation researchers at leading universities around the UK have been funded by the government to mobilise sound topical evidence to address the aviation sustainability challenge. No one wants to give up flying but aviation's rapid growth is focusing minds on finding solutions to reduce noise, air quality and particularly climate impacts.

Opportunities for Meeting the Environmental Challenge of Growth in Aviation (Omega), launched with £5 million of public money, is addressing key questions posed in the often- polarised debate. It brings the main stakeholders together in studies that maximise the chances of real progress, linking universities, government, the aviation sector and NGOs.

Omega has initiated 17 university-led knowledge transfer projects addressing short- and long-term remedies. Climate change features prominently with work addressing public attitudes on paying for aviation's climate effects, finding and promoting the least damaging aircraft and engine designs, and devising carbon reduction toolkits.

Local impacts such as air quality and noise and sustainable fuels also get attention as academics examine ways to ease the airport and airline pressures that accompany growth.

Omega's objective evidence-based studies are set to remove some of the hype from the debate. This is clearly needed. Addressing aviation's contribution to climate change – when that is properly understood – is set to be a hotly debated topic in coming years.

When Omega was announced last year, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry Alistair Darling said: “Solutions to sustainability are paramount given that the UK has the second largest aerospace and aviation economy in the world, and that the industry across Europe is worth $200 billion and supports 6.7 million jobs.”

Omega Chief Executive Roger Gardner said: “No one can dispute the excellent timing and need for Omega – green solutions are a prerequisite for aviation growth. Without new evidence to underpin effective action the aviation sustainability `gap' will grow.

Omega will help focus the debate productively through high profile studies and strong engagement with stakeholders. There is a will to act, but if politicians and the industry are serious about delivering real advances, ramping up of research and study efforts – and working together – is essential.”

Led by Manchester Metropolitan with Cambridge and Cranfield Universities, Omega involves six other UK universities – Oxford, Reading, Southampton, Sheffield, Leeds and Loughborough. Partners also include government departments, stakeholders such as the Aviation Environment Federation and commercial organisations like BAA plc, Manchester Airport, British Airways, Rolls-Royce and Airbus.