Five aviation professionals with shared environmental concerns have formed Call Aviation to Action, a group who aim to promote a ‘deep and just transition on aviation business models and strategies to fit a liveable planet.’
The group was officially launched this week with one of the co-founders, Karel Bockstael, former Vice President of Sustainability at KLM Royal Dutch Airlines saying: ‘We see the good that aviation can do, but we also see that we must reinvent our industry to restore its positive contribution to the world.
‘Aviation is struggling to turn a profit, trapped in growth models and is overly optimistic about the timelines for technology to solve its climate problems. We understand the challenges leaders face, but staying in this race is not an option. Aviation must take control of its transformation before it is forced to.’
The quintet have already been joined by nearly 200 similarly concerned people, all with a connection to the aviation industry. Their number includes former pilots, academics and travel industry figures.
From day one, Call Aviation to Action have listed the four actions they feel necessary to set aviation on the right flightpath. They emphasise that these actions need implementing immediately:
- Set absolute emission reduction targets in line with carbon budgets, and acknowledge the aviation industry’s responsibility for cumulative emissions – as these are the ones that drive global warming.
- Advocate for and help implement regulation that keeps us within planetary boundaries and really drives innovation, rather than lobbying against climate policies.
- Be realistic on the timeline of what technology can bring, and develop a business model that can ensure its sustainability on its own, in time and independent of breakthroughs elsewhere.
- Acknowledge that managing global demand in a fair manner is part of the solution especially in regions that have a larger share in historic CO2 emissions.
Bockstael added: ‘We know a lot of people are concerned about the future of our industry and the planet, but mistakenly assume their peers do not. We need to break the silence to address these concerns and encourage our leaders to become part of this transition.”
‘Acknowledging that this can be an inconvenient wake-up call, the initiative focuses on mutual support and community-building to help the industry gather the courage and support it needs to transform, for its own benefit.’
On their website the group emphasise their passion for aviation, nipping in the bud any suggestion that they want planes grounded. They also explain their point of difference, that they are focussed on technology to the exclusions of anything else and nor are they looking to set long-term targets or ‘asking for net-zero promises.’
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