An aviation project involves activities such as modifying existing aircraft, switching fuel sources, or changing operational practices in relation to aircraft to reduce emissions.
Projects help to reduce the amount of greenhouse gas entering the atmosphere from the operation of aircraft and associated auxiliary equipment. The net reduction in greenhouse gas emissions as a result of a project is termed ‘abatement’.
The emissions avoided by an aviation project are calculated by comparing the total ‘emissions intensity’ of different phases of aircraft operation (e.g. take-off and landing) before and after the project activities take place (See Figure 1). Emissions intensity means the emissions that are produced compared with a service unit; for example, the emissions per hour of operation. Using emissions intensity to calculate abatement allows emissions reductions to be credited when the level of service provided changes compared to previous periods.
Figure 1: Phases of aircraft operation and service units
