The Future of Energy If the effects of climate change are to be restrained, the aviation industry will have to play a significant role. Currently the sector emits only around 2 per cent of the carbon dioxide responsible for climate change. But at current growth rates, experts forecast it could contribute up to 20 per cent of emissions permitted under global emissions caps planned for 2050.
At the end of September, Willie Walsh, chief executive of British Airways, committed the aviation industry to sweeping emissions cuts. The sector, he said, would cut carbon dioxide emissions to 50 per cent of 2005 levels by 2050, improve fuel efficiency by 1.5 per cent a year until 2020 and achieve carbon-neutral growth thereafter.
