Green Postulate or Action? Environmental Dimension of the EU Aviation Policy

• In Event: European Politics and Society Virtual Poster Session

Abstract

The proposed paper raises the issue of the EU action to reduce the environmental impact of aviation in the light of long-term trends together with the distortions and growing uncertainty caused by the most severe crisis in the history of the industry. Aviation remains one of the strategic sectors for the EU, with broad socio-cultural and economical importance. Only in the EU, it provides services to 972 m passenger per year supporting 9,4 m jobs. But it is also perceived as the main polluter, with 3% of anthropogenic contribution to climate change and plans for further growth. Along with increasing social consciousness, this aspect was visible in the recent EC strategies in line with the European Green Deal. Against this background, 2020 exposed much weakness of the air transport system, followed by temporary relaxation of rules as part of crisis mitigation and forced questions about the future recovery nature. Paper will reflect on the EU’s approach to sectoral changes in case of the environmental segment. First, the emergence of postulates in the sector strategy will be outlined. Against this background, Author will examine current problem perception, characteristics and coherence of the actions undertaken as well as an overall balance between sustainability and growth in EU sectoral policy.

Author

• Dominika Furtak, Jagiellonian University