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Last changed: 08/10/2010
Air traffic burdens population and ecologic systems in a versatile and considerable way. Besides the impact on climate, aircrafts generate considerable adverse effects on the environment in the vicinity of airports. Aircraft noise and air pollution are the biggest problems. Because of the expected strong growth in air traffic (approx. 4% per year according to ICAO) these problems will increase in the future. The technical progress is insufficient to reduce the burden on the environment. Due to the fact that the present regulations offer aircraft operators little incentive for the use of aircraft with less noise and exhaust emissions new instruments are necessary.
According to the polluter-pays principle the air traffic sector should pay for environmental impact resulting from aircraft operation. In contrast to this principle today the general public has to pay for most of these costs. The instrument of noise-related charges, which is used for a long time at German airports, can be a starting point but needs to be reformed. Furthermore, the question arises how to internalise other local environmental impacts (particularly air pollution) of air transport. A comprehensive concept for charging all environmental costs of airports in an effective and equitable way is needed.
The focal themes of the conference were the evaluation of environmental costs as well as instruments for a fair cost distribution. The conference contributes to the development of a fair, transparent and harmonized charging system for German airports.
Further information about the conference and the abatement of aircraft noise (e.g. the application of landing charges) can be obtained from the UBA’s ”Reduction of Traffic Noise” section.
Contact person: Jörn Lindmaier
The UBA’s "Air Pollution and Energy Saving in Transport" section deals with the integration of aviation into the EU Emission Trading System as well as the air pollution caused by aviation.
Contact person: Frank Wetzel
Information on methodologies to estimate external environmental costs can be received from UBA’s ”Economic and Social Aspects in Environmental Protection” section.
Contact person: Silvia Schwermer
UBA’s ”Environmental Law” section deals with legal issues concerning the internalisation of environmental costs.
Contact person: Nadja Salzborn