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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| 'Scapegoat' claim over plane CO2 | 'Scapegoat' claim over plane CO2 |
| (1 day later) | |
| Air transport is being used as a scapegoat for global warming, a group for UK commercial pilots has claimed. | Air transport is being used as a scapegoat for global warming, a group for UK commercial pilots has claimed. |
| The British Airline Pilots' Association (Balpa) says "half truths and untruths" have made passengers feel guilty about taking a flight. | The British Airline Pilots' Association (Balpa) says "half truths and untruths" have made passengers feel guilty about taking a flight. |
| In its report, Balpa says air travel accounts for only 2-3% of global carbon dioxide emissions. | In its report, Balpa says air travel accounts for only 2-3% of global carbon dioxide emissions. |
| But some environmentalists say that share will increase significantly because of a greater number of flights. | But some environmentalists say that share will increase significantly because of a greater number of flights. |
| Balpa disagrees, saying the contribution of air travel to global carbon dioxide emissions will only rise to 6% by 2050. | Balpa disagrees, saying the contribution of air travel to global carbon dioxide emissions will only rise to 6% by 2050. |
| UK CARBON EMISSIONS 1. Manufacturing 25.5%2. Road transport 25.7%3. Civil aviation 0.5%4. Other transport 1.3%5. Commercial 14%6. Residential 26.5%7. Agriculture/forestry 1.3%8. Military transport 0.6%9. Industrial processes 2.5%10. Waste treatment 0.1%11. Exports 2.4% Figures apply to flights within the UK. If international flights from the UK are included, the total is an estimated 6.3%.Source: Defra 2005 | |
| Chairman Mervyn Granshaw said the latest jets were more carbon efficient than the newest high-speed trains on longer journeys. | Chairman Mervyn Granshaw said the latest jets were more carbon efficient than the newest high-speed trains on longer journeys. |
| "Our report clearly shows that technological advances now being researched will cut aircraft emissions still further," he said. | "Our report clearly shows that technological advances now being researched will cut aircraft emissions still further," he said. |
| "It would be inappropriate and premature to restrict air transport at this time. | "It would be inappropriate and premature to restrict air transport at this time. |
| "The damage that would be done not only to our industry but to tourism and to the economies of developing nations would be enormous." | "The damage that would be done not only to our industry but to tourism and to the economies of developing nations would be enormous." |
| 'Pure propaganda' | 'Pure propaganda' |
| He said the industry would play its part in addressing carbon dioxide emissions and that air travel had become "an easy target". | He said the industry would play its part in addressing carbon dioxide emissions and that air travel had become "an easy target". |
| "No-one is calling for any dramatic cutback in car travel - the biggest polluter of all transport modes," he added. | "No-one is calling for any dramatic cutback in car travel - the biggest polluter of all transport modes," he added. |
| Campaign group Greenpeace said the report was "pure propaganda". | Campaign group Greenpeace said the report was "pure propaganda". |
| Its director, John Sauven, said: "This report is pure propaganda. The aviation industry should be embarrassed by this nonsense. | Its director, John Sauven, said: "This report is pure propaganda. The aviation industry should be embarrassed by this nonsense. |
| "The authors assume everyone drives a top of the range 4x4 across continents, before taking the QE2, then jumping on a Maglev bullet train and still they have to conclude that flying is worse for the climate." | "The authors assume everyone drives a top of the range 4x4 across continents, before taking the QE2, then jumping on a Maglev bullet train and still they have to conclude that flying is worse for the climate." |
| 'Distorted science' | 'Distorted science' |
| The Green Party also criticised BLPA for "putting profit before the climate". | The Green Party also criticised BLPA for "putting profit before the climate". |
| Darren Johnson, Green London Assembly member, said: "This is not the first time that an industry has distorted the science of climate change in order to protect its profits. | Darren Johnson, Green London Assembly member, said: "This is not the first time that an industry has distorted the science of climate change in order to protect its profits. |
| "It would be wholly wrong to take the word of interested parties over the considered and overwhelming international scientific opinion." | "It would be wholly wrong to take the word of interested parties over the considered and overwhelming international scientific opinion." |
| The Balpa report has been presented to the government. | The Balpa report has been presented to the government. |