Clear blue skies: Aviation and Sustainability

Perhaps nothing captures the challenge of sustainability quite like Air Travel.

Globally the industry is back to 85% of its pre covid capacity and back on track as one of the fastest growing polluters. This is happening at a time when the IPCC has told us we need a 60% reduction in emissions by 2035.

But in one human lifetime, Air Travel has become something of basic right for many. Australians love it and for good reason, considering our geographical location. Our citizens have become some of the most frequent flyers in the world despite the environmental impact of one of our favourite pastimes.

Graeme Sumner will facilitate a discussion about what we can do, drawing on his experience as the former CEO of Airways New Zealand, the inaugural Chair of the Environmental Committee for CANSO, (the global umbrella organisation whose members are responsible for managing over 90% of civilian airspace) and leading the launch of the industry’s first study and subsequent action program to reduce the impact of civil aviation on the environment in 2020.

– What is the likelihood of aviation fuel NOT made from petroleum sources?

– Is it possible to develop transparent and universal audit of carbon credits?

– What is the impact of power/weight issues on battery and hydrogen options

– Does flying faster help? The push for supersonic flight and space tourism.

– What about longer flights with fewer stops? The environmental price of convenience.

– Can we reimagine the network? If only consumers behaved a bit more like freight.

– How are organisations responding to their aviation consumption around the world? Putting easy runs on the board?

– Or does it really matter if the aviation industry is the last to convert if other big emitting industries have transitioned to electric/hydrogen?

This Sustainability Leadership Forum brings together those interested in sharing perspectives and exploring key issues with fellow members about sustainability and ESG (environmental, social, and governance). The intimacy of the experience is enhanced when everyone who attends gets to comment and exchange ideas. The hosts are members whose role is to gently guide the group’s conversation.