Branson launches plan to cut emissions
Billionaire Richard Branson proposed on Wednesday changes to aircraft movements at busy airports and the way planes land under a plan he said would cut the world's aviation emissions by up to 25 percent.
Branson, who last week committed to spending all the profits from his airline and rail businesses to combat global warming, is lobbying airlines and airports to consider his cross industry proposal to slash emissions.
The Virgin Group chairman proposed "starting grids" be set up at major airports which would allow a plane to be towed from its stand by a small tug closer to the runway before takeoff, reducing the time engines are running.
This would reduce fuel consumption and on the ground carbon emissions for Virgin Atlantic aircraft by more than 50 percent ahead of take off at London's Heathrow Airport and almost 90 percent at New York's John F. Kennedy airport, Branson said in a statement.
Branson also proposed changes to the way air traffic is controlled and a more efficient way for planes to descend and save fuel.
He also said airlines can reduce the weight of planes by using lighter materials and even removing empty champagne and beer bottles before take off.
"Airlines, airports, air traffic controllers and governments should seize these initiatives and ensure they're all implemented within two years," Branson, who is in New York to launch the proposal, said.
"If they do so, up to 25 percent of the world's aviation emissions can be cut."
The proposal is the next stage in Branson's public pledge to help tackle global warming.
Branson has created Virgin Fuels, which will invest $400 million (211 million pounds) over three years in renewable energy initiatives as part of his pledge.
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