Environment

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Environment
  • European Union Emissions Trading Scheme

    European Union Emissions Trading Scheme

    Information on the European Union's inclusion of aviation activity in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) that will be applicable when aircraft depart from and/or arrive at an airport in an EU member country starting in 2012. Learn More.

Business Aviation's Balanced, Effective Approach to Environmental Policy

NBAA believes that when it comes to general aviation operations, environmental stewardship is an imperative. The Association continually works to develop reasonable and balanced policies that support the industry’s twin goals of promoting the mobility and growth of business aviation while minimizing its environmental footprint, in terms of both greenhouse gas and noise emissions.

General aviation aircraft account for a tiny fraction of transportation emissions. The industry's continually improving record is thanks to an ongoing focus on the development of engines, aircraft and operating procedures that reduce emissions. Today, general aviation turbine engines are an average of 30 percent more fuel efficient than those certified in 1976, and 50 percent more fuel efficient than those introduced in the 1960s.

Looking to the future, NBAA and its Member companies will continue to explore ways to further reduce the industry's environmental footprint.

One effective way to reduce emissions is to continue the work already done to implement a more efficient Next Generation, or “NextGen” aviation system based on satellite technology. FAA data has shown that the full implementation of NextGen could reduce aviation emissions by up to 12 percent by 2025.

News

European Emissions Trading Scheme Now Includes Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein
February 18, 2010
The European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU-ETS) has been expanded to include the countries Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. Operators conducting flights to or from aeronautical facilities in these countries or European Union countries and territories already included in the EU-ETS are required to monitor and report their aviation emissions for those flights as part of their compliance with the EU-ETS.

European Commission Notice Announcing Inclusion of Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein in the EU-ETS (15 KB, PDF)

European Countries Adding Time to Submit ETS Plans
August 18, 2009
Authorities in Germany, Sweden and Italy will provide more time for operators to submit annual emissions-monitoring plans and optional emissions-benchmarking plans for compliance with the European Union's Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS). Aircraft operators assigned to Sweden for ETS administration must submit their plan(s) by October 15, 2009. Italy now requires operators to submit their plan(s) no later than September 30, 2009. Germany and the UK have not set a specific date, but Germany's will be in early October 2009 and the UK in early November 2009. Those operators required to comply with the EU ETS assigned to other EU member states should plan to submit their annual emissions monitoring plan and optional emissions benchmarking plan by the original deadline of August 31, 2009. For more information, visit: www.nbaa.org/ets
UK Will Delay EU Emissions Trading Scheme
July 13, 2009
The UK Department for Transportation (DFT) will postpone implementation of the UK’s EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) program. The European Commission has been repeatedly delayed in its work to stand up the program, so government officials in the UK plan to wait until at least three months after the European Commission completes its work before moving forward on the program. The commission is expected to have its preparations completed by mid-August, but this deadline may also be missed. NBAA will continue to report on developments about the EU ETS; for more information, visit: http://www.nbaa.org/ets
Get the Latest on the EU’s Developing Aviation Emissions Program
June 15, 2009
As NBAA has previously reported, policymakers in the U.S. and around the world continue to closely examine aviation emissions as part of an overall review of all carbon emissions from transportation. In the European Union (EU), consensus is emerging around a plan for aviation known as the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), which could apply to NBAA Members and others with flights to, from or within EU states by 2012. Under the plan, each operator would be assigned to one of the states for the program’s administration. Some NBAA Members have recently advised the Association that the UK has sent letters requesting point-of-contact information as part of the program. NBAA has created an EU ETS web resource to explain what the program means for NBAA Members flying to the EU, answer common questions about the plan, and outline what NBAA is doing to advocate for the industry. View the resource.
New CA Emissions Rules for Airport Ground Equipment to Affect Business Aviation Operators
December 22, 2008
The California Air Resources Board made the emissions standards and test procedures more stringent for off-road large spark-ignition (LSI) engine-powered equipment, which includes airport ground support equipment with engines of 25 or more horsepower. Business aviation operators with LSI engine-powered equipment in California are subject to the revised standards, which take effect as early as January 1. For more information, visit http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/offroad/orspark/orspark.htm

Business Aviation Environmental Issues Resources

Business Aviation Environmental Issues Operational Resources

  • European Union Emissions Trading Scheme

    European Union Emissions Trading Scheme

    Information on the European Union's inclusion of aviation activity in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) that will be applicable when aircraft depart from and/or arrive at an airport in an EU member country starting in 2012. Learn More.

  • Noise Abatement Program

    Noise Abatement Program

    NBAA's Noise Abatement Program has been in existence since 1967. The NBAA noise procedures are recommended as a standard for all operations where aircraft manufacturers have not recommended specific procedures. Learn More.