Page 14 - European Energy Innovation - Summer 2016 publication

14 Summer 2016 European Energy Innovation

AVIATION

Aviation emissions: a global
solution for a global issue

By Violeta Bulc, EU Commissioner for Transport (pictured)

Aviation is a strong driver
of growth, jobs, trade and
mobility for our economy
and citizens. It contributes
€110 billion annually to the EU’s
Gross Domestic Product, and directly
employs 2 million Europeans. However,
it also has an increasing impact on the
environment. Today aviation represents
around 2% of global CO2 emissions
and this is expected to increase in the
future. According to the International
Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO),
emissions will grow by at least 63% by
2020 compared to 2006 levels, and by
at least 290% by 2050 if no effective
mitigation action is taken. The latest
European Aviation Environmental
Report also confirmed that the
sustainability challenge will increase as
the sector continues to grow, despite
the technological improvements that
are being made.

The Aviation Strategy for Europe we
adopted last December recognises
that the future competitiveness of
air transport is closely linked to its
sustainability. The strategy stresses
the importance of decreasing CO2
emissions and the way forward for
Europe. First we need to complete
the Single European Sky project.
This would cut CO2 emissions by an
average of 10% per flight within the EU.
Then, we have to continue supporting
research & development actions for
innovative “green” technologies: SESAR
for innovative solutions to improve
the efficiency of the European Air

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