Asia's Environmental Divide

This article examines the Asia/Pacific region’s response to aviation’s role in contributing to climate change, and what leading airlines from the area are doing. Cathay Pacific Airways has introduced a carbon offset program, but its CEO warns that few airlines have followed suit or taken the initiative to come up with a better system. Except for Japan, Australia and New Zealand, the region’s governments have been reluctant to slow the progress of economic growth by hobbling aviation. There is fear, however, that if the region does not act soon and in a holistic manner, individual states may decide to apply taxes “dressed up as green taxes.” The unilateral action of the EU’s decision to impose an emissions trading scheme on all carriers flying into Europe is upsetting to many in Asia, and could lead to any number of countries enacting similar programs. The author notes that Air New Zealand has been exploring alternative fuels and will test biofuels later this year.

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Media Type: Print
  • Features: Photos;
  • Pagination: pp 35-36, 38-39
  • Serial:

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01103855
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: UC Berkeley Transportation Library
  • Files: BTRIS, TRIS
  • Created Date: Jun 30 2008 8:29AM