Aviation in
a sustainable world

Omega Newsletter

September 2008

www.omega.mmu.ac.uk

Welcome to the September edition of the Omega newsletter.

Our monthly newsletter is back after a summer break.

Autumn sees a period of continued turmoil for the aviation sector as demand reacts to global economic conditions and spiralling fuels prices. The grounding of XL and continuing concerns about Alitalia make for some strange days indeed. There seems to be a trend towards an all round rationalization of airlines and markets signalling a need for further work towards a less carbon intensive model of aviation, whether through new technologies, smarter ops or further sustainable solutions at airports.

Omega at Farnborough International Airshow 2008

Roger Gardner at the Farnborough Airshow

Roger Gardner, the Omega Chief Executive, at the Farnborough International Airshow 2008.

Omega took a stand for the first time at Farnborough International, the world’s leading air show, this July. With a footfall of some 120,000 and over 1400 exhibitors across four huge exhibition halls, as well as a village of chalets and pavilions created by some of the industry biggest players, this was an important opportunity for Omega to talk about its work.

To more seasoned Farnborough hands, this year’s show had a markedly different flavour with a dedicated sustainability day for the first time in its sixty year history.

Carbon neutral airport workshop – the first of its kind in the UK

In the first event of this kind in the UK, Omega ran a workshop on carbon neutral airports on 9 September at Manchester Airport. A 40 strong audience drawn from airport operators, airport suppliers, policy makers and NGOs heard presentations from DEFRA, Airports International Council Europe, Manchester Airport, Aviation Environment Federation and academics from the Centre for Air Transport and the Environment (CATE) of Manchester Metropolitan University.

The workshop investigated approaches to carbon accounting in particular the problematic issue of defining the scope and resolution of an airport’s carbon footprint. It showcased best practise in reducing carbon emissions through avoidance, efficiency improvements and the use of renewable energy sources. The second part of the day examined the role of offsetting in compensating for residual carbon emissions.

Understanding non-CO2 impacts on aviation

Omega organised a science level workshop at Lady Margaret Hall, University of Oxford between 22 - 24 July 2008. The three day event brought together some of the world’s leading researchers who presented their latest findings.
An impressive array of key speakers included Dr Dave Fahey (NOAA, USA), Dr Jan Fuglestvedt (CICERO, Norway), Professor Ivar Isaksen (University of Oslo, Norway), Professor Joyce Penner (University of Michigan, USA), Professor Michael Prather (University of California, Irvine, USA), Professor Robert Sausen (DLR, Germany) and Professor Ulrich Schumann (DLR, Germany). This field of prestigious international scientists was joined by peers from the nine-strong university Omega partnership and other institutions across the UK. Junior researchers made important contributions, and benefited from sharing their latest results with more experienced scientists in the field. The workshop produced consolidated views of various aspects of the climate impact of aviation.

Useful Links

Events

Environmental Costs of Air Transport, Estimating Marginal Costs and Economic Benefits of Aviation

10 October 2008 University of Cambridge

The aim of the workshop is to disseminate the findings of three Omega studies: Environmental costs of aviation; Estimating the marginal costs of environmental issues; Economic Benefits of Aviation.

International Airport Air Quality Conference

13 - 14 October 2008 Royal Aeronautical Society, London

The aim of the conference is to disseminate findings from Omega air quality projects and collaborative work with PARTNER and European networks.

Alternative Fuels Conference

24-26 November Royal Aeronautical Society, London

The aim of the conference is to disseminate findings from Omega air quality projects and collaborative work with PARTNER and European networks.

Air Transport Emissions Trading Scheme Seminar

11 December 2008
Venue (tbc)

The aim of the seminar is to disseminate and discuss outcomes from the Omega Air Transport Emissions Trading Scheme study.

Conference: Open Rotor Powered Aircraft

12 December 2008
University of Southampton

The aim of the conference is to bring together parties who have an interest in the possible introduction of a large fleet of Open Rotor powered aircraft.

Contact Us

For general enquiries contact:

Press Office
Omega Manchester
Metropolitan University
T: +44 (0)161 247 6736
E: omega@mmu.ac.uk

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