Sustainability Leadership Perspective: AirlinesDownload a PDF version of this report or return to Mapping the Future of Green Innovation
Airlines The airline industry runs on carbon-based fuels, plain and simple. It’s an industry that requires innovation to drive growth and lead in the fight against global warming. Note to airlines: “It’s hard to read the label when you’re inside the jar.” We anticipate the first airline to get themselves “outside the jar” (where they can see all the viable business opportunities) will reap the leadership benefits. Maybe the open-minded innovators at Virgin Airlines are working on this already. It appears that a few of the airlines have made significant effort towards improving the energy efficiency of their aircraft and are working to incorporate their climate-focused programs into their overall business strategies and innovation pipeline. But overall, we think the entire sector lags behind in actual scores while decent perceived scores leave most of them grouped into THE LUCKY quadrant. This is a dangerous place to be, considering it appears that none has shown any leadership in supporting public policy relevant to climate change, and they have only shown limited work in setting goals, measurement and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. We think public relations efforts supporting flight offsets are the least they can do, but we believe this is a weak attempt at planning for the future of your business.
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