As reported by Eric Blinderman
Senior Director of Communications, AOPA
Published in Midwest Flyer Magazine December 2023 Digital Issue
Leaders from general aviation associations and entities gathered at the National Business Aviation Association Convention and Exhibition in Las Vegas, October 17, 2023, to announce the “Climbing. Fast.” initiative, a new advocacy campaign designed to spotlight how GA is making progress on its goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions from flight.
General aviation industry stakeholders, including AOPA President Mark Baker, announced a new initiative to achieve the shared goal of net-zero emissions.
The multimedia effort is designed to “coordinate and elevate a message about the game-changing technologies that are fostering business aviation sustainability on the ground and in the air.”
The unified industry campaign includes 10 stakeholder organizations, whose leaders stated their support for the new initiative.
“What business aviation contributes to society is immeasurable and its commitment to sustainability unmatched. The ‘Climbing. Fast.’ initiative will help showcase the industry’s resolve toward positive change through sustainable programs, and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association is pleased to support this admirable campaign,” said AOPA President Mark Baker.
As a cross-platform public affairs campaign, the “Climbing. Fast.” program will spread the industry’s message about sustainability through a dedicated website, advertising, video, a multichannel social media presence, and a targeted media relations program. The “Climbing. Fast.” campaign will emphasize business aviation’s value as an incubator for innovation. For example, investments in airplane winglets, lightweight airframe composites, satellite-based navigation systems, and other carbon-cutting technologies have led to a decrease in emissions from business aircraft by 40 percent in just four decades, while new business aircraft are up to 35 percent more efficient than the previous generation.
The “Climbing. Fast.” initiative will also highlight the pioneering work toward making its net-zero carbon emissions goal a reality, a combined effort that includes development of eco-friendly aircraft that use ultra-efficient engines, and alternative energy sources such as hybrid, electric, and even hydrogen-powered propulsion. The campaign also supports the production of sustainable aviation fuels that can reduce net-carbon emissions by 80 percent, along with the use of smarter, faster, more efficient flight routing that requires less energy.
