Safe skies, sustainable future

Context: The 7^th of December has been celebrated as International
Civil Aviation Day every year since 1994. The day has a historic significance.
It was in 1903 that the Wright brothers successfully demonstrated the first
flight in an open field named Kitty Hawk in North Carolina, United States. The
technology developed rapidly thereafter. After World War II, on the 7th of December
1944, 52 nations met at Chicago, United States, and formed an organization to
make the rules of flying. This is how the global regulator of civil aviation,
the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), came into being. 2024 is
the 80th anniversary of ICAO and this year ICAO has adopted a new theme: ‘Safe
skies, sustainable future: Together for the next 80 years.’ The theme focuses
on sustainable aviation practices and addressing climate change challenges.

Key points

·      
Overview: International Civil
Aviation Day is celebrated every year as a significant day that has allowed
people and cultures to interconnect as well as reflect on the role of aviation
organisations in ensuring safe air travel worldwide.

·      
International Civil Aviation Day (ICAO): It is celebrated
on 7^th of December. Signifies the 80th anniversary of the signing of
the Chicago Convention (1944). Adopted in 1996 through UN Resolution
A/RES/51/33. Its purpose is to emphasize the importance of civil aviation in
global connectivity and the role of aviation organizations in ensuring safety
and sustainability.

·      
Relevance for environment: International
Civil Aviation Day 2024 theme is “Safe Skies. Sustainable Future: Together for
the next 80 years.” The International Civil Aviation Day theme is announced
every fifth year on the anniversary of ICAO while reaffirming its commitment to
reducing aviation carbon footprints.

·      
Challenges with aviation: Aviation is
carbon-intensive activity – Though this mode of travel contributes just
2.5% of the world’s carbon emissions, it might increase with more population
opting for air travel.

Pollution by aviation fuels - Today's
aviation fuels (mostly the widely used Aviation Turbine Fuel - ATF) consist
primarily of hydrocarbon compounds and contain additives that are determined by
the specific uses of the fuel. They emit CO2 from burning fuel.

·      
Regulatory Framework for Civil Aviation in
India: The Ministry of Civil Aviation has an important role in shaping the
policies for growth and regulations of civil aviation in India. The ministry is
responsible for managing airport infrastructure, air traffic services and
compliance with international standards provided by the International Civil
Aviation Organisation.

·      
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF): It is an
alternative fuel made from non-petroleum feedstocks that reduces emissions from
air transportation. They must be derived from a low-carbon raw material that
can be continually and repeatedly sourced. They must not deplete natural
resources or compete with other requirements such as food production, land and
water use. They must be an alternative to traditional aviation energy sources
and be processed to create jet fuel in an alternative manner.

·      
Way forward: The governments
and international organizations need to implement regulations and standards
aimed at reducing aviation's environmental impact. Investing in sustainable
technologies can lead to long-term cost savings, create new job opportunities,
and drive innovation within the aviation industry.