Gatwick chairman says aviation in ‘dialogue of the deaf’ with environmental groups
31.10.11
The aviation industry is mired in a ‘dialogue of the deaf’ with the environmental lobby and is failing to set out a roadmap for tackling climate change, the chairman of Gatwick Airport told the Guardian newspaper. Sir David Rowlands said the sector invested too much effort in relaying facts - such as its contribution to global warming - rather than setting out how it will make meaningful contributions to carbon dioxide reduction.
Criticising the industry's obsession with flaunting its green credentials via announcements about biofuel flights, Sir David said that airlines and airports are failing to engage with environmental groups. He said: ‘What it does not mean is lone voices shouting 'hey – look at us we have just flown one of our aircraft on chip fat!' That is not a dialogue. Unless what you want is a dialogue of the deaf. Just look at the reaction from environmental commentators to what has been happening recently with biofuels.’
In a speech at the annual conference of the Airport Operators Association today, Sir David will say the aviation industry is struggling to muster a united voice on the environment owing to the daily competitive cut-and-thrust between its constituents. He believes the aviation industry, which accounts for about 6% of UK carbon dioxide emissions, is inviting criticism by failing to outline ways in which it can alleviate rising greenhouse gas emissions.
Urging the industry to sit down with ‘the more responsible end’ of the green movement, he said airlines, airports and aircraft makers needed to answer the ‘what next’ question that any significant CO2 emitter must answer. He said: ‘We need to show that we are ready to work towards solutions that reasonable and pragmatic people on both sides of the environmental debate can agree upon.’
'It needs this industry willingly accepting a more collective approach, agreeing to focus its efforts for the collective good and starting a real dialogue with people who are genuinely concerned about our impact on the environment.’
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