Currently, environmental issues in aviation are a key factor in the direction of the development of the aviation sector. National and foreign aviation experts observe a systematic increase in the importance of environmental issues understood both as individual elements of care for the environment and concern for the conversion of aircraft and air transport modes to make them compatible with a model of sustainable development.
International Civil Aviation Organization, patron of the aviation sector in its comprehensive reorientation aimed at fulfillment of obligations of the parties to the Kyoto Protocol and the United Nations International Convention on Climate Change and meeting many other requirements of increasing rigor in the emissions of pollutants to air and emissions of nuisance acoustic. What more organizations which unite air-carriers and the aviation industry leading players in co-operation with the Member States make systematic efforts to improve the environment through treatments such as organizational changes, structural modifications of aircraft, continued implementation of biofuels in aviation. Most of that work in this area, has been preceded by a multi-annual research programs.
Ms. Małgorzata Polkowska, Ph.D. recognizing the critical importance of variables that determine the quality of life of the population living in the vicinity of world’s largest airports, such as Local Air Quality, maintaining proper acoustic climate and soil and water status, level of functionality and aesthetics of public space, she highly assess the current effects of the ICAO Council's work along with its technical advisory committees.
The achievements of ICAO in the search for new solutions to protect the environment is impressive, many initiatives were successful and many new applications of very promising projects have been successfully initiated. Continuing the work which begun so well is absolutely essential to ensure the proper, stable and sustainable development of the aviation sector on a global scale. Many experts are unanimous that carefully configured ICAO policy on the environment justifies the expectation that in the coming future decisions will be taken that will result in the adoption of effective solutions to the environmental protection requirements, effective from a technical point of view and also have the attribute of feasibility financial position. Consequently, it is reasonable to wait for the desired effect to improve the quality of life achieved through the implementation of coordinated programs to both prevent adverse environmental impact and reduce the existing nuisance.
The Committee on Environmental Protection (CAEP) is a technical advisory body of the ICAO Council in the area of environmental protection. It is composed of representatives of selected Member States of ICAO. Currently, the status of CAEP member have 23 countries, 5 observer countries and 10 organizations. Poland is a CAEP Member State and has its representative in the person of Mr. Tadeusz Reklewski M. Sc. CAEP was established in 1983 from the merger of the Committee on Aircraft Noise (CAN) and the Committee on Aircraft Engine Emissions (CAEE). In the work of CAEP are also involved representatives of airlines, airports, aircraft manufacturers, representatives of non-governmental organizations, representatives of various institutional bodies within the UN system.
From 11th to 22nd of November in Warsaw there will be held a Conference of the Parties of the COP19 Convention which is the highest authority of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change UNFCCC. This event will attract the delegations of the Parties to the Convention from around the world. To date, 195 parties/ countries have ratified the Convention along with the European Union. Poland ratified the Convention in 1994.
COP is also a meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol, the most important act of the Convention which obliges countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions comparing to the chosen base year.
The deliberations of the Convention (COP) are held every year, and their goal is to take the decisions necessary for the implementation of these provisions (mainly contained in the Kyoto Protocol).