ABSTRACT
There has been a growing interest in the environmental impact of aviation, both in terms of noise and aircraft engine emissions. Discussions have included both mitigation measures and methods of internalisation of these external costs. Climate change has been the particular focus following the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and subsequent Kyoto Protocol. The need for action at a global level has been further supported by more recent studies, for example from the UK Stern Report.1 Air transport attracts attention far in excess of its current contribution to CO2 emissions first because it is a high profile industry; and second because of its impact (still very uncertain) on climate change from NOX and contrails at cruise altitude which result in a multiplier effect (socalled ‘radiative forcing’ effect).
