Edinburgh Airport: Scotland Urged to Lead in Sustainable Aviation Technology by Professor Maclennan

Saturday, March 23, 2024

A recent academic study emphasizes the crucial role of aviation connectivity for Scotland’s economy, warning that reducing flights could significantly harm most industries. The report, conducted by Professor Duncan Maclennan, Emeritus Professor of Urban Economics at the University of Glasgow and commissioned by Edinburgh Airport, suggests that Scotland needs a comprehensive policy approach to achieve net-zero aviation emissions. This approach could help Scotland accelerate its transition to sustainability and attract investment in renewable aviation fuel production.

Professor Maclennan’s research included interviews with 42 business and policy leaders in Edinburgh and Scotland, 21 in Sydney and New South Wales, and 16 in Toronto and Ontario. His findings highlight Edinburgh’s importance as Scotland’s gateway for trade and travel, but also indicate that the city lags behind Sydney and Toronto in terms of broader connectivity and infrastructure planning.

He said: “There are great decarbonised transport options to and from Edinburgh Airport and the city itself. However, unlike other cities that have better connectivity strategies, Edinburgh hasn’t developed good transport links to the surrounding metropolitan areas. Through my interviews and research, I’ve found this to be because our decision-making here in Scotland is too localised and not joined-up enough.”

Professor Maclennan continued: “We need more leadership from the Scottish Government on the strategy for decarbonising aviation and how it connects to our wider transport and infrastructure planning. Scotland and Edinburgh have both been early embracers of net zero targets, but unfortunately that enthusiasm hasn’t translated into delivery and integrated, big-picture policy development and practical delivery.

“But there is opportunity for Scotland to make smart policy and investment decisions and become a leader in the development and export of sustainable aviation technology.

“While there are some key industries that are particularly dependent on the connectivity that only aviation can bring to Scotland, when you look at the wider economic modelling connectivity underpins most of our entire economy.

“In Scotland we are not always honest about how well connected we are by rail and other sustainable transport options. It takes four hours to get from Edinburgh to London, but what about from the Highlands to Wales? We need to be honest about the role aviation pays and get serious about leading the way on net zero – moving beyond rhetoric into integrated, bold and strategic action.”

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