Environmental Protection (ENV)

Air transport generates around 2% of overall CO₂ coming from all human activities each year. Despite the fact that the passenger number keeps growing by year, aviation succeeded in limiting emission growth. This is the result of various investments in new technologies and of numerous actions for implementation of new operating procedures and infrastructural measures.

Airplane engines operate on principle of burning fossil fuels, which means that they create noise, emit gasses and particles, while having impact on Environment (ENV) and local air quality. Airplanes with jet engines have impact on environment by emitting primarily carbon dioxide (CO₂), and ozone oxides, substances and particles. Noise created by airplanes is one, maybe even the most harmful impact of aviation to the environment. The noise can disrupt sleep, increase risk of cardio-vascular diseases of people living in vicinity of airports, etc. At some airports, the noise limits growth of air transport. Airports can cause water pollution due to permanent handling with jet fuel and removal of de-greasing chemicals. These are only some examples of negative impact that aviation has on environment.

Search and Rescue (SAR) and Environment (ENV) section conduct tasks related to protecting environment from the aviation, primarily from impact of noise and gas emissions, as well as to providing expert opinions regarding impact of aircraft operations on environment and decrease of impact of aviation in accordance with international standards and recommended practice, defined in ICAO Annex 16; analysing and monitoring results obtained by competent institutions; recommending measures for noise and engine emissions abatement; participating or providing expert opinion in development of procedures and processes for aircraft noise and engine emissions abatement; participating in oversight of areas of safety management, environment quality and protection; cooperating with competent State institutions for the purpose of implementing activities for reducing harmful impact of aviation on environment; preparing professional grounds for development of programmes, plans, bylaws adopted by competent authorities of State administration; adopting general acts for the purpose of implementing particularly standards, procedures and recommended practices of ICAO, ECAC, EASA and EUROCONTROL; participating in international coordination and cooperation, that is implemented through various projects and programmes in terms of environment protection and reduction of harmful impact that aviation has on environment; exchanging information, experience and opinions on innovative policies and technical improvements, based on appropriate ecological priorities, obligations on scientific and technological development, particularly dealing with topics of long-term aspiration to goals for abatement of CO₂ emissions from international aviation, use of sustainable fuels, implementation of Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) and periodical checks of noise volume and local air quality; developing ICAO State Action Plan for reduction of CO₂ emissions; participating in working groups, related to environment protection, on level of international institutions (ECAC ENV FORUM etc.).