The progress report comes at a time of increasing interest and awareness of aviation's contribution to climate change, in the wake of the government's recent Stern report.

Commenting on the progress made by manufacturers as part of Sustainable Aviation, SBAC Director General, Sally Howes, said: "Climate change is one of the most significant challenges facing our industry. The UK aerospace industry is facing up to the challenge through intensive research and development of more environmentally-friendly engines and more efficient airframes, alternative fuels and better understanding of aerodynamics and advanced materials. The Sustainable Aviation signatories have made important progress in these areas in the past 12 months and this is highlighted in the report".

The progress report has been produced in collaboration with the other UK aviation trade associations, with endorsement from Sustainable Aviation signatories comprising major airlines, airports, air navigation service providers and aerospace manufacturers.

In the first year since the publication of Sustainable Aviation, important progress has been made in a number of key areas, including:

- The launch of major aerospace technology validation programmes for environmentally friendly engines and integrated wing, as well as aerospace innovation networks for aerodynamics and new materials and structures.

- The agreement between UK airlines of a common metric and reporting on aircraft emissions and fuel efficiency.

- The establishment by a major UK airline of a voluntary carbon offset programme to help educate passengers about the carbon impacts of air travel and the opportunities to help mitigate them.

- The assistance of signatory companies to the European Commission in developing the EU emissions trading scheme to include aviation.

- The promotion of best practice in environmental management by SBAC, the Airport Operators Association and the British Air Transport Association, working with signatory companies.

- The completion of a Continuous Descent Approach outreach programme to publicise and inform airports and airlines about the noise, fuel burn and emissions benefits of this operating technique.

In the past 12 months, manufacturers have responded to the tough targets set by the Advisory Council for Aeronautics Research in Europe (ACARE) to reduce the environmental impact of air transport, including the need to reduce fuel consumption by 50 per cent and NOx emissions by 80 per cent, for new aircraft entering into service by 2020, compared to their 2000 equivalents. The progress report reinforces the findings of the Stern review that the industry is well on track to meeting these objectives.

Research has been undertaken through the National Aerospace Technology Strategy, which is a key part of the industry's road-map to achieve the ACARE targets and highlights what can be achieved by government and industry working together. The pound35 million Integrated Wing Advanced Technology Programme involves 17 partners and addresses the development and validation of technologies associated with wing and major system (landing gear and fuel) design, manufacture and integration. In addition, Rolls-Royce's 5-year, pound95 million Environmentally Friendly Engine research and technology programme seeks to exceed the 2020 ACARE target for fuel efficiency. The industry is also setting up Aerospace Innovation Networks, focusing on advanced materials and structures and aerospace dynamics.

Looking forward, manufacturers will continue to closely monitor the evolving science of climate change to further understand aviation's environmental impacts, seeking to reinforce their position as global leaders in the field of aerospace research and technology. However, they realise that that there is no room for complacency. SBAC Director General Sally Howes warned that: "Whilst evolutionary technological developments are important in managing the environmental impacts of aviation, radical improvements in the way aircraft are designed, manufactured and integrated hold the key to future success and we must work together to achieve this. Revolutionary or step-changes in performance can only be delivered through substantial long-term investment by all stakeholders, in the public and private sector".

Related Links
Society of British Aerospace Companies
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