Giovanni Bisignani, Director General and CEO of the International Air Transport Association has called on Asia to participate in a debate to reduce greenhouse emissions for Aircraft.

It’s believed that planes contribute 2% to global greenhouse gas emissions. Despite this incredible number, the Bisignani explains that we have made many technological advances allowing us to reduce the impact that aircraft have on greenhouse emissions.

Recently, at the Greener Skies Conference, Bisignani outlined that there were four key areas to reducing emissions. They are as follows:

Technology: This has been the most productive to date seeing as modern aircrafts have improved fuel efficiency by 70% of their predecessors. With the goal of hitting a 25% percent improvement on this figure by 2020, we can expect to see aircraft in the future which consumer considerably less than hybrid cars. Also, the industry has set a target of using 10% alternative fuels by 2020.

Operations: By cutting out 1 minute of flight time, pilots can save burning a whopping 62 liters of fuel - thats over 15 gallons!

Avoiding Taxes and Charges: Bisignani delineated at the conference that governments play a pivotal role in helping airlines to finance new technology. Instead of charging excess tax rates, governments should be helping airlines to pay for new superior equipment instrumental in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Emissions Trading: This is a system whereby other industries have equal obligations to reduce emissions. This will improve the global effort to reduce greenhouse gases and develop a trend of environmental awareness and responsibility.

These small steps that industries are taking are by no means small on a global scale. If this continues throughout other industries then we will be one step closer to environmental sustainability.