Who we are
The creation of an Observatory of Sustainability in Aviation (OBSA) takes place in March 2007, set up as an independent project, initiative of the Spanish State Company SENASA, a technical company functionally attached to the Ministry for Development (Ministerio de Fomento) through the DGAC (Directorate General of Civil Aviation), that carries out the work on behalf of the Central Government and its autonomous bodies.
This initiative was not developed by proposal of regulators, industry or social groups, but taking into account all of them.
Mission
- It aims to be a reference point on aviation and sustainability, for rigorous compilation, elaboration, analysis, evaluation and diffusion of the existing basic information on sustainability in the sector, considering the social, economic and environmental dimensions.
Goals
- To generate a useful tool for public participation and decision making through the evaluation of this information, using models and indicators.
- To encourage initiatives in the aviation sector enhancing its sustainable growth.
- To establish a communication forum between stakeholders (regulators, industry and society).
- To share knowledge and best practices with other national and international organizations.
Background
Civil aviation has a key role in the economic and social development of nations and regions, and it’s an important source of employment and services.
Nevertheless, its activities produce negative effects on the global environment, populations and airport surroundings, mostly caused by the aircrafts’ noise, motor emissions and infrastructures.
Enabling human and economic development while mitigating negative effects of aviation requires compliance with the sustainable development principles.
Some Policy Guiding Principles for EU Sustainable Development are:
- To develop adequate consultation and participation channels for all interested parties and associations.
- To enhance the participation of citizens in decision-making. To promote education and public awareness of sustainable development.
- To enhance the social dialogue, corporate social responsibility and private-public partnerships to foster cooperation and common responsibilities to achieve sustainable production and consumption.
- To promote coherence between all European Union policies and coherence between local, regional, national and global actions in order to enhance their contribution to sustainable development.
- To ensure that policies are developed, assessed and implemented on the basis of the best available knowledge.