KEY POINTS:
SYDNEY - Virgin Blue Holdings will today call on the aviation industry to clean itself up amid research projecting an explosion in the contribution of air travel to greenhouse gas emissions.
A recent Australia Institute study found aviation currently contributes about two per cent of Australia's total greenhouse gas emissions.
But left unchecked, emissions would increase by more than 250 per cent by the middle of the century - imperilling broader efforts to arrest climate change.
In a speech to mark the arrival of the Dalai Lama in Australia, Virgin Blue chief executive Brett Godfrey will call on the aviation sector to more effectively 'reduce and report' its carbon emissions.
"Airlines and all businesses that emit high levels of greenhouse gas must accept accountability for their damaging by-products," Mr Godfrey said.
While a national carbon trading scheme with clear targets was the best catalyst for market investment in new energy, the Virgin Blue boss said it was only part of a broader suite of policies.
"Additionally we need to determine measurable and achievable smaller targets to allow for intervention and correction along the way," he said.
"We also see an opportunity for business and governments to work together on a solution which could offer tax credits and other fiscal incentives to unlock private enterprise in research and development."
Whether those technologies exist is questionable.
In an article posted at onlineopinion.com.au on Monday, Australia Institute researchers Christian Downie and Andrew Macintosh argued that demand for air travel needs to be curtailed.
"Basically, planes need to burn kerosene to stay in the air," the article said.
"If a technological breakthrough does occur, it will take decades to implement because of the need to replace the existing aircraft fleets and supporting infrastructure."
"The science suggests that Australia needs to cut its emissions by 80 per cent by 2050.
"Yet if the aviation industry continues under business-as-usual conditions, it could consume more than Australia's entire emissions allowance in 2050. "
The Dalai Lama's Spirituality and Sustainability Forum is being held in Perth with the assistance of the Australian Conservation Foundation.
- AAP
