Fallen on deaf ears

It was US anthropologist Margaret Mead who once said: "never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has".

Her comments would no doubt resonate with climate change protestors that recently camped outside Heathrow Airport. But their efforts to prevent hub operator BAA from expanding the UK airport have done little to inspire the British public.

During the eight day protest, some 1000 Camp for Climate Action members protested against plans to open a fifth terminal next year. Among those gathered, 58 were arrested for blockading BAA's headquarters following minor skirmishes with riot police.

According to a BAA spokesman, Heathrow's operation was unaffected throughout the campaign. He added: "Despite threats by the camp organisers, we are pleased that protesters have continued to respect the rights of our passengers and not interfered with the airport's operation."

Like them or loathe them, the climate change protestors were highlighting an issue that affects all regions, including the Middle East. But the chances of seeing similar demonstrations outside airports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha are less than remote.

Dubai's government in particular is determined to establish the emirate's aviation industry as a world leader. In recent months, plans to invest US$82 billion have been announced, while the $4.5 billion redevelopment of Dubai International Airport is underway. Moreover, Jebel Ali will be home to the world's biggest hub when Dubai World Central International Airport becomes fully operational.

In June, Giovanni Bisignani from the International Air Transport Association told Aviation Business that carbon emissions and climate change weren't high on the Middle East's political agenda. The trade association's director general and CEO added: "no matter how you look at it - in the short or long-term - airlines are a small part of global warming. But that is not an excuse to do nothing".

Bisignani wants aviation chiefs in this region to take climate change more seriously. Whether they listen is another matter, but statistics suggest their counterparts around the globe are taking note. According to Bisignani, aircraft fuel efficiency has improved by 70% since the 1970s. With airline chiefs investing billions of dollars in new aircraft, carriers will be 25% more economical by 2020.

Furthermore, the United Nations recently said that airliners contribute just 2% to global emissions. Nevertheless, the figures will receive short shrift from climate change protestors armed with statistics that suggest otherwise.

Aviation industry critics often accuse airline and trade body executives of manipulating figures to cover themselves in glory. But despite the protests and recent Heathrow campaign, green activists will never sway carrier chiefs from their main objective - making money.

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Heathrow Airport demonstration
Posted by D Bentley, Manchester, UK on Wednesday 12 September 2007 at 13:00 UAE time

Dear Sir, the protest was not about Terminal 5, a done deal which opens next March after four years of construction and twenty years before that in the planning process, but against the proposal for a third runway that would necessitate the partial destruction of two villages.

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