The CILT Aviation Policy Group is seeking feedback from Institute members as it develops its policy towards aviation decarbonisation, by holding a free-to-attend webinar to which all members are invited.
The webinar will be held on 24th August 2020 from 16.00hrs. The first 30 minutes will include short briefing presentations of the current situation, our understanding of the airlines’ views and a summary of the technical issues. The remainder of the meeting will be for participants to ask questions and give their views. All CILT members are welcome to attend but, in particular, those with an interest in aviation.
Paul Le Blond, Chairman, Aviation Policy Group, CILT, said: “We have been developing our policy by participating in the CILT-wide Routes to Net Zero 2050 study by considering the many initiatives and plans and using our expertise to select those which we think have the greatest chance of achieving net zero.
"These measures include operational improvements, new aircraft, both on the production line and also with new forms of airframe and propulsion, sustainable aviation fuel, and offsetting. None of these individually will achieve net zero and all will require a massive increase in green electricity, but we want to know what we should recommend in terms of priorities.
"If net zero is not achieved, the alternative is to constrain growth. This may be attractive to some, but could it be done practicably, fairly and equitably, without disadvantaging the UK? Our views count, with the Government, Parliament and the industry, all of whom are prepared to listen and take our advice.”
The CILT Aviation Policy Group has been extremely active recently, not just in considering the decarbonisation agenda, but also in monitoring the Covid-19 impact.
On 2nd June the group issued a statement on the then newly introduced quarantine arrangements calling on the Government to take action aligned with international aviation organisations and to develop testing, checking and preventative measures to enable aviation to recover. It also contributed to the the CILT’s evidence to the Transport Select Committee’s inquiry into the effects of the pandemic on transport. The impact on the aviation industry has already been severe and the risks to health must be properly balanced with the economic effects.
The Aviation Policy Group has also continued to monitor airport developments, such as Heathrow’s emerging plans for a two runway airport and the recent decision on Manston. We have also contributed to the Government’s Regional Air Connectivity study and at our last meeting we heard a perspective on this from Liverpool Airport.