Charting a Sustainable Flight Path: Our New Book, 'Sustainability in the Air', Offers Climate Change Hope
Charting a Sustainable Flight Path: Our New Book, 'Sustainability in the Air', Offers Climate Change Hope
Shashank Nigam and Dirk Singer explore potential pathways to a greener future in aviation.
Amidst growing environmental concerns about the urgent need for climate action, the aviation industry faces a pivotal moment. However, there's hope on the horizon.
In their new book, Sustainability in the Air, Dirk Singer and Shashank Nigam delve into the industry's challenges while painting a picture of hope through a comprehensive roadmap for sustainable aviation.
The Challenge
The aviation industry finds itself at a crossroads, grappling with the environmental consequences of its operations. While today aviation’s global share of greenhouse gases is around 3%, that could grow to 22% by 2050 if left unchecked. But the authors of Sustainability in the Air argue that this is not a doomsday scenario; it's a call to action.
The Path Forward: Eight Imperative Principles for Sustainable Aviation
Sustainability in the Air shines a light on the positive changes that aviation can make while offering concrete solutions to navigate this critical juncture.
The book outlines eight crucial principles for greener aviation:
Tie growth to sustainability: Align business models with sustainability to ensure that growth is synonymous with reduced carbon emissions.
Combine incentives and mandates: Encourage sustainable practices through a balance of incentives and regulatory mandates.
Apply the "polluter pays principle" as a "clean skies" fund: Create mechanisms where industry contributions directly mitigate environmental impacts.
Focus on global equity, including the "Global South": Promote equitable access to sustainable aviation solutions across the world.
Ensure aviation doesn't take more than its fair share: Prioritise responsible resource allocation to minimise environmental harm.
Emphasise transparency, accountability, and targets: Establish clear, measurable sustainability goals and hold the industry accountable.
Encourage industry cooperation and knowledge sharing: Foster collaboration among aviation stakeholders to accelerate innovation and change.
The eventual goal should be true-zero, not net-zero: Strive for complete decarbonisation.
A Glimpse of the Book
Sustainability in the Air isn't just a roadmap; it tells the stories of people in the aviation industry and within climate tech, planning for aviation’s net zero future.
Here’s a brief preview of the stories that are featured:
While Greta Thunberg was taking a catamaran across the Atlantic to avoid flying, Anders Forslund and his wife Klara were sitting in an aircraft hangar in Gothenburg, Sweden, designing a completely new electric aircraft through their company, Heart Aerospace.
Greg Constantine and Dr Staff Sheehan, the founders of Air Company, have made vodka and perfume out of thin air. Now, they are using that technology to make carbon-neutral jet fuel.
Mariam Musallam AlQubaisi has broken barriers in becoming Etihad Airways’ first Emirati head of sustainability, with the airline having pioneered a range of environmental initiatives under her tenure.
Robin Spierings has been selected as one of the 2023 Women of the Future, 50 in ESG, for her work in managing a global competition, The SkyTeam Sustainable Flight Challenge, where airlines are vying to see how sustainable their flights can be.
“Our book is a clarion call to the aviation industry, emphasising that sustainable practices are not just a solution to its challenges but an opportunity for growth and leadership in a rapidly changing world”, says Shashank Nigam. “It's a testament to the fact that with the right mindset and strategies, aviation can soar to new heights while minimising its environmental footprint.”
Sustainability in the Air is available for orders at www.sustainabilityintheair.com and all major bookstores starting Nov 1, 2023.
About the Authors
Shashank Nigam is the founder and CEO of SimpliFlying. Having consulted for more than 100 airlines over 15 years, Nigam is a frequent keynote speaker and has been widely featured in major media outlets like The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and the BBC. His previous book, SOAR, was an Amazon bestseller and is currently being taught to Masters students at Cranfield University (UK) and Embry-Riddle (USA). Sustainability in the Air is his second book. He is also the host of a leading podcast with the same name.
Dirk Singer is the Head of Sustainability at SimpliFlying, an industry-leading aviation consulting firm dedicated to shaping a greener and more environmentally conscious future for air travel. He is also the co-founder of several successful creative agencies, including Honey, Rabbit and Cow. Singer's career has spanned more than two decades, during which he has written white papers, newsletters and essays on climate change-related issues, reaching thousands of subscribers in the aviation industry. Sustainability in the Air is his first book.
For further information or to interview the authors, please email editor@simpliflying.com.