Vital to build cleaner industry
Carbon emissions from aircraft can not grow unchecked, the UK transport secretary Lord Adonis said.
The task facing the world was to build an industry which met people's needs while also managing its environmental impact, the minister said.
Speaking at the London Aviation Club, Lord Adonis added: "Building a cleaner, greener aviation sector is a vital part of this.
"The global recession cannot be an excuse for pressing the pause button on our commitments to address climate change."
He said he believed there was now a "broad consensus" that emissions could be cut while allowing "reasonable" growth in the industry.
But this required four conditions:
- a global framework to cap emissions
- the use of new lower carbon technology as soon as possible
- more fuel efficient operations including the use of biofuels
- a better integrated transport system including the use of low carbon travel like high speed rail.
On the first, Lord Adonis said negotiations would be "challenging" but the UK was working with international partners and environmentalists to make progress.
The UK government is encouraging new technology by offering 130% tax relief on research and development into environmentally friendly products.
He said aircraft were now far more efficient than in the past with recent planes like the Airbus 380 and Boeing 787 "some 20% more fuel-efficient per passenger kilometre" than earlier aircraft.
Development of biofuels offered a "win-win" situation with both lower emissions and lower prices.
But he warned there was "still some way to go" in their development.
Finally Lord Adonis said that UK airports had to be "much better connected to public transport than in the past."
He cited the example of Zurich Airport which had a mainline station with services is to cities around Europe as well as a local bus and tram network.
"If we wish to continue reaping aviation's social and economic benefits, then we have no choice but to be serious about tackling its environmental impact.
"Cutting emissions does not mean unreasonably restricting access and reducing mobility for ordinary individuals and families.
"There is another way," Lord Adonis said.
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