Elements of sustainable aviation
Why is sustainability important to the CAA?
Aviation contributes around 2.5% of the world’s CO2 emissions – but only a minority of the population flies.
It is challenging to decarbonise aviation and only a huge technology shift will achieve it.
But limiting travel isn’t progressive: flying has societal, cultural and economic benefits.
The aviation industry is committed to reducing its environmental impact through sustainable and alternative fuels, new technology and more efficient operations.
What is our role, as a regulator, to ensure sustainability is more than just “warm words”?
What is our role, as a regulator, to ensure sustainability is more than just “warm words”?
Our Environmental Sustainability Strategy shows we will work with the industry, government and others to improve aviation’s environmental performance.
A future for aviation
We believe there must be a long-term successful but sustainable aviation sector.
Collaboration
This is a complex, system wide issue: industry, government and academia must work together to solve it.
Leadership
We are a trusted voice and have considerable expertise which we can use to drive change.
Evolution
This is a long-term challenge: we will need to evolve as climate knowledge and technology develops.
Wider remit
Safety, security and protecting consumers are our main priorities as the aviation regulator.
CAA’s environmental sustainability strategy
Our key areas of sustainability work
Enabling Jet Zero technology
Modernising airspace
Providing information on performance (noise and emissions) and the environmental impact of your flight
Advising government
Reducing our own emissions and waste
Assessing how our regulated activities impact the local environment
Considering sustainability in our regulation and oversight
Enabling Jet Zero Technology
Transitioning aviation to zero emission flight will be the biggest technological shift for 70 years.
The single most important thing the CAA can do to support sustainable flight, will be enabling this and ensuring the greatest change since the jet age is delivered safely.
Regulation considerations for new hydrogen and electric battery technology
Aircraft
- Completely new aircraft design?
- Engines
- Fuel storage
- Battery storage and safety
- Fire
Airlines
- Turnaround times & number of flights possible per day
- Ground support equipment
Environmental factors
- CO2 monitoring
- Non-CO2 impacts
- Noise
- Whole life cycle
Infrastructure
- Storage & Pipelines
- Airfield layout
- Logistics –separation of H2 and kerosene stands
Fuelling and refuelling (multimodal fuelling)
- Fuel storage
- Refuelling safety requirements
- Fire-fighting
Human factors
- Training, licensing etc manufacturers, crew, ground-handlers, ATCOs
H2 supply and electricity generation
- ‘Green energy’
- Transportation
Airspace changes
- Different take-off / approach profiles and speeds?
- Noise
Economic factors
- Airline Financial fitness
- Airport Charges
- Incentives
Modernising airspace to deliver quicker, quieter and cleaner journeys and more capacity for the benefit of people in the air and on the ground.
