Sustainable Tourism Law

THE INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION ORGANIZATION AND ENVIRONMENT 667 more efficient conditions such as optimum altitude and speed. Another benefit of the operational improvement is the relatively short timeframe needed for the implementation of a change in the air traffic management system: once the preparation and the assessment are done, the change can be applied overnight and immediately applicable to all aircraft in a specific airspace. IV. SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUELS Most of civil aviation around the word uses kerosene derived from petroleum sources. However, under a decade, impressive progress in the development and deployment sustainable aviation fuels has been achieved. Sustainable aviation fuels are “drop-in fuels” 4 obtained from sources other than petroleum, such as coal, natural gas, biomass, and hydrogenated fats and oils that meet sustainability criteria. This fuel has a potential to be sustainably produced and to generate lower carbon emissions than convention aviation fuels on a life cycle basis. Since 2010, ICAO has engaged in a number of activities to promote and facilitate the emergence of sustainable aviation fuels through the exchange and dissemination of information as well as fostering dialogue amongst States and Stakeholders. An increase of commercial flights using sustainable drop-in fuels from a variety of feedstocks has been witnessed in the recent years and a number of aviation alternative fuel initiatives are currently underway worldwide. Sustainable aviation fuels have emerged as a promising solution to contribute achieving carbon neutral growth from 2020. These fuels have a reduced carbon footprint compared to conventional aviation fuels. Sustainable alternative fuels represent a positive solution for aviation’s future, as they contribute to the three pillars of sustainable development (environmental, social and economic) by: reducing greenhouse gas emissions while improving local air quality; providing new sources of employment; and facilitating economic development in non-traditional fuel producing regions of the world. Alternative fuels are essential to ICAO’s environmental strategy and are an integral part of airlines’ environmental strategies. Indeed, sustainable alternative drop-in fuels are the only practical renewable energy option available for aircraft today. While the technical feasibility, environmental impacts and safety of 4 Drop-in fuel: fuel that is a direct substitute of conventional aviation fuel, that is completely interchangeable and compatible with conventional aviation fuel when blended with it.