If Global Aviation Were a Country

According to the National Resources Defense Council, If Aviation were a country it would be the 7th largest polluter in the world. The NRDC made the statement in a report in 2013 after an annual meeting of the International Air Transport Association. The IATA is a global association that represents 84% of air travel worldwide.

In 2013 the industry was responsible for 3% of carbon dioxide emissions in the U.S. alone. That number has grown 4% from 1990. In total, the U.S. is responsible for a whopping 29% of all global aircraft emissions annually. On a global scale, the numbers are projected to triple by 2050, posing enormous threat to the ozone and largely contributing to climate change and global warming.

Carbon Dioxide is one of the many gases that constitute “greenhouse gases” and is certainly the most impactful. Other gases included are Nitrous Oxide, Methane, and Carbon Monoxide. Atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases have increased by 40% since pre-industrial times (17th century). Human activities account for over 30 billion tons of Carbon Dioxide alone being released into the atmosphere every year.

This year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency determined that “greenhouse gas emissions from certain types of aircraft are responsible for contributing to climate change, which threatens public health and welfare.” The EPA and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) work closely with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to study greenhouse gas emissions and how they relate to climate change, and to develop standards and requirements for pollutant sources.

Over the past three years, different methods and strategies such as carbon offsetting and carbon pricing have been developed to reduce pollution, combat climate change, and modify regulations already in place for the airline industry. These plans have been met with equal amounts of support, enthusiasm, and criticism from numerous organizations worldwide. The ICAO’s carbon offsetting scheme is scheduled to begin a pilot trial in 2021. So far 60 countries have agreed to participate in the trial, while other “hold out” countries have opted out, and only agreed to participate when the scheme becomes mandatory.

Whatever the outcome, it is obvious that big change is necessary, and it needs to happen fast. The numbers are stacked against us, and time is not on our side. The large volume of participation and enthusiasm being met by these new policies are the first steps to safeguarding the sustainability of our environment in our ever looming, uncertain future.