Toespraak van staatssecretaris Dijksma bij de conferentie Airports Going Green

Toespraak | 31-10-2016

Mister Chairman, ladies and gentlemen,

First of all, I’d like to thank the organisers of this conference.

It’s a great honour to be here. Especially as the conference is being hosted in Amsterdam this year. Schiphol airport is celebrating a special milestone with its hundredth anniversary. So the fact that we’re gathered here today is a special mark of honour.

It’s not very objective of me, but I’m proud to say that I also find this a fitting location. No disrespect to Chicago of course!

But Schiphol is an ambitious airport when it comes to sustainability.The Netherlands’ biggest international airport is constantly investing in green innovation. Like energy-efficient lighting, electric and solar-powered transport, and new procurement models – buying services instead of products.

So, for instance, Schiphol now buys lighting services from Philips. Models like these tie in with the trend towards a circular economy, involving smart ways of using scarce raw materials.

This is also taking shape in the Valley – a business park owned by Schiphol that’s developing into an incubator for the circular economy. One of the initiators, Prince Carlos De Bourbon Parme, will no doubt be telling you more about this shortly.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Worldwide the realisation has hit home that climate change is one of the biggest challenges of this century. Along with the fact that green enterprise is profitable and boosts competitiveness. Green innovation is everywhere at the moment – the sky’s the limit!

The best proof of that worldwide sense of urgency is the historic Paris Agreement on climate change. An unforgettable and inspiring turning point that I was privileged to be part of. An agreement that owes much to the positive input of the business sector.

It’s now time to lift the words of Paris from paper and put them into action, all over the world. That’s why the motto of the Dutch national climate conference I opened a few days ago was: 'Bring Paris home'.

Our aim was to set as many initiatives in motion as possible, or to accelerate them. Because since Paris, there’s been enormous momentum in society. Everyone wants to put their shoulders to the wheel: cities, companies, civil society organisations. But also ordinary people, with local initiatives.

That national climate conference gave me so much positive energy. To everyone who wants to contribute to the ambitious international climate targets, I say: let’s join forces.

Let’s carry on down the chosen path. And create room for new sustainable initiatives. I’m pleased the aviation sector is on my side in this.

The Paris Agreement doesn’t explicitly mention international aviation. But there can be no doubt about the aviation sector’s responsibility to combat climate change.

Around 2 per cent of global, man-made CO2 emissions are currently attributed to international aviation. But it’s expected to grow considerably, so its CO2 emissions will, at the very least, double.

The industry has consistently worked to improve the fuel efficiency of aircraft. They’'e now 80 per cent more fuel efficient than the first jets in the 1960s. But given the expected growth, more is needed.

So it was great to witness the achievement of a historic agreement a month ago, at the 39th session of the ICAO Assembly. The aviation world didn’t hesitate to take advantage of this unique opportunity to make the difference.

We now have a global scheme known as CORSIA, aimed at compensating all growth beyond 2020. The scheme complements measures that the industry is already taking to reduce CO2 emissions. Like applying innovative technology, developing sustainable bio-kerosene and continuously improving the use of infrastructure and airspace. The ultimate aim is to cut CO2 emissions by half by 2050, compared to 2005 levels.

It’s only a start, of course, but every journey begins with a single step. This agreement lays the foundation for future efforts. Or, as Angela Gittens of ACI put it: 'With these commitments, the priority now is collaboration to provide capacity building, and coordination, so that we can work together to deliver the right assistance in the right place and at the right time.'

I applaud the fact that ACI and IATA have joined forces and signed an agreement for enhanced cooperation on environmental initiatives. Because the aviation sector has to be bold and united in tackling this enormous challenge.

Airports and airlines can do a lot to make aviation greener. They can build on existing initiatives or facilitate new ones. They can optimise airport infrastructure. Or improve takeoff and landing procedures, striking a balance between noise and emissions reduction.

Airports are key partners in the aviation fuel supply chain. And we're already seeing initiatives around the world of airports working with airlines to boost the use of aviation biofuels.

As an airport, Schiphol has received an ACI award for its integrated approach to the target of carbon neutrality. A trend that can be seen throughout the airline industry.

In fact, looking at all these initiatives, and acknowledging the difficult task the aviation sector faces the initiative for the Sustainable Airport  Declaration feels like a well-timed and logical outcome.

I fully support the aim of this document, 'to create a system of sustainable airports worldwide, through collaboration, transparency, innovation and engagement'.

Ladies and gentlemen,

In the space of a century, Schiphol has grown from a few hangars in a field to one of the most important hubs in the world. Its development reflects the expansion of aviation worldwide. Never in their wildest dreams could the Wright brothers have imagined that their invention would spark one of the world’s biggest industries.

That growth has come about because the aviation industry has always looked to the future. It's an industry that embraces boldness and resolution, pioneers and innovators. And the latest challenge it faces is Going Green. The whole industry – from aircraft manufacturers to airlines, from airports to related industries – can still make enormous strides.

I’m confident that you – with your track record of boldness and resolution – will be able to grow and make the transition to a clean, strong aviation sector in the years ahead.

Thank you.