✈️ 🇪🇺 According to EASA, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, the main pollutants emitted by aircraft engines in operations are carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOX), sulphur oxides (SOX), unburnt hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), particulate matter (PM) and soot. 🤢
↗️ In 2016, aviation was accountable for 3.6% of the total greenhouse gas emissions from the 28 States of the European Union and for 13.4% of the emissions from the transport industry, making aviation the second most important source of transport GHG emissions after road traffic. Greenhouse gas emissions from aviation in the EU have more than doubled since 1990, when it accounted for 1.4% of total emissions. 😵
👉 These figures are undoubtedly underestimated, but it gives an idea of the extent of air pollution.
🇳🇱 This confirms what climate experts have been saying for years: we need to fly fewer planes. And today, Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, Europe's third largest airport, is the first to dare to do so, by reducing its flights by 12%!
💡 Faced with numerous complaints from local residents, the Netherlands announced on June 24, 2022 that it plans to limit traffic at Schiphol Amsterdam Airport to a maximum of 440,000 flights per year starting in November 2023, compared to its normal capacity of 500,000 flights.
🌿 The Dutch government aims to simultaneously reduce noise pollution, air pollution and CO2 emissions to protect the environment and the health of its residents. ✅
📣 "A new balance is needed between the importance of a good international airport, a good business climate and the importance of a better living environment," said Infrastructure Minister Mark Harbers.
🇫🇷 In Paris, residents living near Charles de Gaulle airport (the world's 10th largest airport) also called for a cap on the number of annual flights on July 1, 2022, following the Dutch government's announcement.