Aviation contributes approximately 2.5% of global carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from human activities, according to Nuranga Adikari, a sustainability and civil aviation specialist, speaking at the 91st Air Dream programme organized by Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited (AASL).
Adikari highlighted that by 2019, the aviation industry had emitted around 600 million tons of CO₂ globally, with aircraft also releasing smaller amounts of nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide.
He noted that emissions significantly declined during the COVID-19 pandemic due to reduced flight operations, but levels are now gradually returning to their pre-pandemic highs.
Warning of aviation’s contribution to global warming and climate disruption, Adikari emphasized the urgent need for sustainable practices within the sector.
To address this, AASL has implemented measures such as reducing fuel use in ground handling and adopting fuel-efficient engine technologies.
Adikari also stressed the importance of the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), a global initiative by the ICAO requiring aviation operators to report annual CO₂ emissions and work toward emission reduction.
AASL has set a goal to maintain Sri Lanka’s aviation emissions at or below 2018 levels.
Meanwhile, Thushara Morawaka, HR and Administration Manager at SriLankan Catering Limited, shared that the company’s daily meal production dropped from 25,000 to 15,000 post-COVID, impacting the scale of daily food resources used in operations.
The Air Dream programme serves as a regular knowledge-sharing platform for professionals in the aviation industry.
