CII Report calls for setting carbon emission targets for airlines

New Delhi, Feb 3 (UNI) A CII report on reducing carbon emission in the industry has urged the government to set emission target for airlines as the aviation causes a sizeable percentage of the global carbon releases.

It has suggested that the possibility of carbon credits for the country's civil aviation sector should be explored as has been done in the Europe.

Measures to reduce emission of carbon, the greenhouse gas responsible for global warming causing climate change, was a must in view of the fact that the rate of expansion of the air transport in India was fastest in the world, it said.

Quoting the Stern Review that aviation emission could account for five per cent of the total global warming effect in 2050, the report said the government should launch a multi-pronged drive to reduce emission in this sector.

Besides, the goverment should formulate policies to encourage shift from aviation to high-speed rail transport, it said.

Other measures recommended include investment in fuel-efficient aircraft and related equipment. For example, twin engine aircraft, which burns less fuel and emits less carbon than three and four engine aircraft, can be used, it said.

It has also suggested equipping aircraft with winglets, which are wingtip extensions that lower aircraft drag and result in up to five per cent reduction in emission and fuel consumption on long range aircraft.

Moreover, instead of using aircraft auxiliary power units when parked at gate, alternative energy saving methods should be used and use of fuel-drive thrust reversers on landing should be reduced, the report said.

Change from steel to lighter carbon brakes, which reduce aircraft weight has also been recommended.

The CII study has also called for developing more efficient traffic routes and space configuration.

Stating that globally advances were taking place in aircraft technology, the report pointed out that Boeing's Greenliners and the Airbus A 380 were the best example of commercial response to the emerging crisis in climate change. Application of lightwieght carbon fibre in Boeing, and General Electric's light weight materials in engine and components were the examples of the such efforts, it said and called upon the government to initiate measures on similar lines.

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