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28.09.2006
Climate change: Branson action plea
Sir Richard Branson has called on the global aviation industry to work together to tackle the "growing issue" of climate change.He said that if airlines, airports, air traffic controllers and governments worked together, up to 25% of the world's aviation carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions could be cut.Sir Richard, who last week pledged $3bn towards renewable energy initiatives, has written to other airlines, engine manufacturers and airport operators urging them to support a cross industry forum that will help deliver practical ways of tackling global warming.The aviation industry is currently responsible for around 2% of global CO2 emissions.In his letter to aviation chiefs, Sir Richard stressed the need to speed up the pace at which the industry reduces its impact on the environment.He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that part of the plan involved more efficient movement of aircraft around the world's busiest airports."One of those ideas is to set up starting grids at the airports so that instead of sitting on planes with CO2 spewing out of those planes for anything up to 60 minutes-90 minutes ... while you're waiting to get on the runway to take off, you're towed by a small tug to the starting grid and then the pilot would turn on the engines 10 minutes before take off and then take off.Virgin Atlantic believes the "starting grid" system would reduce fuel consumption before planes take off by between 50%-90%. People living close to airports would also benefit from lower noise levels and cleaner air.In addition the adoption by all airlines of a slower and smoother method of descent could significantly reduce the amount of fuel burnt when planes come into land, according to Sir Richard.Sir Richard is due to say in New York: "With global warming the world is heading for a catastrophe. The aviation industry must play its part in averting that."
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