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== Three approaches to carbon emissions ==
== Three approaches to carbon emissions ==


To date, attention has focussed on long-lived greenhouse gases, in particular, carbon dioxide, although aviation is also believed to contribute to climate change through [[Aviation and the environment|other mechanisms]].
To date, [[IPCC list of greenhouse gases|long-lived greenhouse gases]], in particular, carbon dioxide, have been the focus of consideration (although aviation is also believed to contribute to climate change through [[Aviation and the environment|other mechanisms]]).  For air travel, greenhouse gas emissions are totally dominated by carbon dioxide from burning mineral-derived aircraft fuel.<ref name="CO2dom">See, for example, Anja Kollmuss & Jessica Lane, [http://www.sei-us.org/Air_Travel_Emissions_Paper_Part1.pdf Carbon Offsetting & Air Travel] Part 1: CO2-Emissions Calculations (Stockholm Environment Institute, May 2008) and AMR Corporation [http://www.aa.com/content/images/amrcorp/amrerr.pdf Environmental Responsibility Report] 2007.</ref>. Such carbon emissions can be addressed by:

Revision as of 01:30, 18 January 2009

Airlines can differentiate themselves, and consumers can select airlines, based on a number of ethical issues. For example, consumers might express their displeasure for a country by boycotting its national airline. This article confines itself to the issue of climate change. Potential air travellers might respond to the issue of climate change by travelling less and/or by using other modes of transport which are perceived as being more efficient (such as rail). This article further confines itself to the steps being taken by some airlines to offer services that are more ‘climate friendly’ and the response of consumers to those services.

Three approaches to carbon emissions

To date, long-lived greenhouse gases, in particular, carbon dioxide, have been the focus of consideration (although aviation is also believed to contribute to climate change through other mechanisms). For air travel, greenhouse gas emissions are totally dominated by carbon dioxide from burning mineral-derived aircraft fuel.[1]. Such carbon emissions can be addressed by:

  1. See, for example, Anja Kollmuss & Jessica Lane, Carbon Offsetting & Air Travel Part 1: CO2-Emissions Calculations (Stockholm Environment Institute, May 2008) and AMR Corporation Environmental Responsibility Report 2007.
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