The aviation industry, the government and regulators are working hard to limit emissions and the impact of aviation on the environment. The International Civil Aviation Organization has a mandate to ensure that emissions do not increase after 2020. With air travel growing at a fast pace, maintaining emissions at present day levels is a tall order. It will certainly take a lot more than regulation to achieve this target. Technology will need to make giant leaps, while aircraft operators need to line their pockets to adopt the new tech. While all this is simmering in the background, what can the general public do to contribute to these efforts?
Does reducing aviation emissions mean stopping all air travel altogether. While zoom and virtual meetings have changed the way we do business for the most part, air travel is still a reality of our modern-day world. In this global village, families need to travel continents in order to see each other, executives need to visit foreign locations and holiday makers will still go on their trips. Our food and the global supply chain depend on an efficient air transport network. It is unrealistic to imagine that air travel will disappear, the reality is that it will continue to grow.
So, what can be done? Do we bury our heads in the sand and accept that that is our lot? Far from it, every traveller has a part to play and even those who do not travel by air can contribute.
In 2019 Greta Thunberg raised awareness of global warming and the environment by refusing to fly and sailing on zero emission yachts across the Atlantic. Not everyone is privileged enough to be able to do this, but we certainly can make an effort.
Below are a ten things that passengers can do to reduce their carbon footprint
- Be knowledgeable and educated about sustainability.
Aviation is working to reduce emissions and there are various initiatives aimed at reducing emissions. The biggest efforts are around fuel consumption and the development of green fuels. Modern day aircraft are more fuel efficient than older models resulting in major reductions in emissions.
The Cessna Citation CJ1, a very light business jet that consumes 224 litres of fuel per hour.
The Cessna Citation CJ1, a light business jet that consumes 350 litres of fuel per hour.
The Cessna Citation Bravo is a light business jet that consumes 600 litres per hour.
The Gulfstream G550 is a business jet with a consumption of 1355 litres per hour.
Size is not always a determinant of efficiency. Engine and aircraft design also plays a big part in fuel efficiency. Generally speaking, older aircraft consume more fuel. Modifications such as the installation of winglets results in huge fuel efficiencies. A lot of older aircraft do not have winglets meaning that they are not as fuel efficient as those that have had the modification done.
Partners Inc, announced that their trademarked Blended Winglets have saved more than 10 billion gallons of jet fuel, resulting in a corresponding reduction of over 105 million tons of CO2 emissions. This is equivalent to operating Alaska Airlines’ entire fleet of aircraft for nearly 14 years, or power roughly 450,000 cars in the city of Seattle for 34 years.
- Consider the carbon footprint of each trip and choose based on their impact.
The covid pandemic has opened up businesses and individuals to the possibilities of virtual meetings. It is no longer necessary to travel for each team meeting and to make each meeting a physical meeting.
Virtual meetings have not mean that all meetings will be remote, there is still a need for in person meetings, trade shows and events. Reducing the number of meeting directly impacts each person’s carbon footprint.
- Offset Carbon Emissions.
Carbon emissions are offset by investing into carbon offset projects.
- Choose an Empty Leg.
An empty leg is when the private jet flies empty after dropping of a passenger or on their way to picking up passengers. By flying these empty leg, charter customers can reduce the number of flights that fly empty. It also means one jet does the trip instead of two jets.
- Choose a carbon efficient operator and aircraft.
Some operators have an active sustainability effort and fly a modern fleet. Newer aircraft are not just great for the luxury and comfort, they are often more fuel efficient than their older counterparts. Most older planes consume a lot of fuel and are also very noisy.
- Mix a commercial flight with a charter.
When traveling long distances, taking a commercial flight for the international trip, reduces your emissions. The final leg to the destination can then be taken by a private jet. This is sustainable for your bank account and for the environment.
- Share a flight
Covid may have made people weary about the sharing economy, but sharing a flight may be a great choice for the future. There are services where it is possible to purchase seats on jets and like carpooling, sharing a flight has the advantages of reducing your footprint. When attending major events, getting together with those going to the same area is a sustainable choice.
- Pack light.
Luggage considerations are not just reserved for flying on airlines, packing light is also a great way to reduce your footprint. It may seem like it is not a big deal, but for a flight with 15 people, if every passenger brings an extra 30kg of luggage, that is almost half a tonne of extra luggage.
- Fly Direct
Aircraft consume more fuel during take off and landing. The more landings you have the more fuel you consume; hence it is often better to fly direct where possible.
- Get involved and contribute to the discussion.
Join the sustainability discussion, lobby and petition those in power and keep the pressure on. Like Greta and the millions of young people, we need to challenge world leaders to take immediate action on the environment and climate change.
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