Airline initiatives to reduce climate impact
Author(s)
Becken, Susanne
Pant, Paresh
Griffith University Author(s)
Year published
2019
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Airlines are facing mounting pressure from governments, the public and
media to reduce their fast-growing CO2 emissions. Scientists have calculated
that the ‘carbon budget’ that remains to stay safely within 1.5 degrees Celsius
warming will be depleted in 8 years and 2 months (from November 2019),
assuming current levels of emissions. Whilst airlines currently only represent
2-4% of emissions, their share will increase to well over 20% in 2050 should
aviation continue on its current growth path.
Demand for air travel continues to be strong; however, there are signs
that the sentiment towards flying is changing. Ethical ...
View more >Airlines are facing mounting pressure from governments, the public and media to reduce their fast-growing CO2 emissions. Scientists have calculated that the ‘carbon budget’ that remains to stay safely within 1.5 degrees Celsius warming will be depleted in 8 years and 2 months (from November 2019), assuming current levels of emissions. Whilst airlines currently only represent 2-4% of emissions, their share will increase to well over 20% in 2050 should aviation continue on its current growth path. Demand for air travel continues to be strong; however, there are signs that the sentiment towards flying is changing. Ethical questions are being raised concerning air travel, including around equality, and an increasing number of organisations are setting carbon reduction targets for employee air travel. At the same time, governments are looking at taxing aircraft emissions, as one way to meet national obligations and contribute to international reduction goals. Internalising the cost of carbon will lead to increasing airfares and slowing demand for travel. This is opposite to past trends that saw fares become cheaper over time encouraging more people to travel. Many airlines are aware of these challenges and are investing substantially into carbon reduction programs. This White Paper presents macro trends in the aviation industry around carbon emissions, followed by a more detailed analysis of initiatives reported by leading airlines. More specifically, the largest 58 airlines that make up 70% of total available seat kilometres were assessed. Particularly innovative approaches are highlighted, and where possible materiality is assessed. The paper draws on information that is publicly reported by airlines through their Sustainability Reports, websites or other public disclosures.
View less >
View more >Airlines are facing mounting pressure from governments, the public and media to reduce their fast-growing CO2 emissions. Scientists have calculated that the ‘carbon budget’ that remains to stay safely within 1.5 degrees Celsius warming will be depleted in 8 years and 2 months (from November 2019), assuming current levels of emissions. Whilst airlines currently only represent 2-4% of emissions, their share will increase to well over 20% in 2050 should aviation continue on its current growth path. Demand for air travel continues to be strong; however, there are signs that the sentiment towards flying is changing. Ethical questions are being raised concerning air travel, including around equality, and an increasing number of organisations are setting carbon reduction targets for employee air travel. At the same time, governments are looking at taxing aircraft emissions, as one way to meet national obligations and contribute to international reduction goals. Internalising the cost of carbon will lead to increasing airfares and slowing demand for travel. This is opposite to past trends that saw fares become cheaper over time encouraging more people to travel. Many airlines are aware of these challenges and are investing substantially into carbon reduction programs. This White Paper presents macro trends in the aviation industry around carbon emissions, followed by a more detailed analysis of initiatives reported by leading airlines. More specifically, the largest 58 airlines that make up 70% of total available seat kilometres were assessed. Particularly innovative approaches are highlighted, and where possible materiality is assessed. The paper draws on information that is publicly reported by airlines through their Sustainability Reports, websites or other public disclosures.
View less >
Publisher URI
Subject
Tourism
Aviation
Airline
climate change
carbon offsetting