Jet Luxe holds a level 2 rating with 4Air, the new international standard for sustainability in business aviation. Since before our launch in 2021, we have been committed to developing and implementing a strong sustainability policy and series of supporting practices.
Most companies only think about the carbon footprint of aviation. But most of the climate impact comes from non-carbon sources such as nitrous oxides and contrail-induced cloudiness. Our 4AIR level 2 rating addresses this impact.
Jet Luxe’s commitment to level 2 – Emissions Neutral Level 2 is achieved by using verified carbon offsets to offset the carbon equivalent footprint of non-CO2 emissions. These conversions are done using emissions indexes.
Through our membership of 4Air, Jet Luxe offsets all flights 300% to account for CO2 and non-CO2 emissions.
Despite the challenges of COVID-19, we believe that aviation will continue to evolve and advance as it has for over a century. As part of this exciting journey, we expect to see great advancement in aviation and aerospace sustainability. As the landscape of aviation sustainability evolves, Jet Luxe will remain committed to responsible, ethical, sustainable practices.
To help bring clarity to the complex topic of aviation sustainability, we sat down with the expert in this field, Nancy Bsales, Chief Operating Officer at 4Air. As a responsible member of the private aviation sector, we are passionate about sharing information that can help aviation become more sustainable. We hope you enjoy this blog. If you have questions about Jet Luxe’s sustainability policy, please get in touch [marketing@jetluxe.com]
What does 4Air do?
4AIR provides transparency and comparability for those who own, operate, or fly on private jets to better understand their impact on the environment and transform their flying into part of the solution. Through turn-key programs and sustainability program ratings, 4AIR can assist any aviation stakeholder with implementing or participating in comprehensive sustainability approaches.
What are carbon offsets?
A carbon offset represents the verified emission reduction of one metric ton of carbon dioxide (or carbon dioxide equivalent) from a certain project. By buying carbon offsets, companies are funding projects that reduce global emissions while being able to claim that emission reduction against their own carbon accounting. Carbon offsets serve to accelerate global decarbonization by aligning funding with the most cost-effective reduction options available today. Carbon offsets accelerate global change while laying the foundation for additional future emission reductions.
Why is SAF so expensive and hard to source?
SAF has been around for more than a decade, but commercially available quantities and pricing have just begun to emerge over the last year or so. As new production pathways have come to maturity, we are seeing a diverse group of SAF sources that will be coming onto the market in the next few years. Production needs to continue to scale up to reduce the price, but government incentives may help bridge that cost gap in the meantime.
What makes 4Air different to other sustainability programs?
No other sustainability program takes a comprehensive approach to sustainability. 4AIR focuses solely on aviation to provide a niche approach that covers and aligns all aspects of aviation sustainability into a singular framework. We look at comprehensive emissions but will also be introducing programs around waste and materials to look at aviation’s entire footprint.
Can aviation ever be sustainable?
It will be a journey to get there and will require new technology, but by creating more efficient aircraft and operations and implementing new fuels and propulsion, aviation can achieve full sustainability.
How can aviation be more sustainable?
Today we need to focus on our emissions and decoupling the growth in the industry with the growth in its emissions. There are many short-term opportunities for more efficient operations and mitigation that can begin immediate emissions reductions while the industry grows SAF availability and builds new technology.
How can a company get started with sustainability?
Start small. Build a carbon footprint to understand the size of your company’s emissions and where the bulk of the emissions come from. Then you can build a roadmap to chip away at that footprint. Starting today, we can offset our footprint while working on better operations, fuel, and technology to reduce it.
How do contrails affect emissions?
Contrails can coalesce into larger cloud forms known as cirrus clouds or contrail-induced cirrus clouds. When contrails persist for extended periods (up to 18 hours) or coalesce into larger cloud formations, they can let light through while reflecting infrared radiation (heat) back to the surface. The contrail-induced cirrus clouds will reflect some sunlight during their day (a small cooling effect) but still represent a net warming effect and their effect is exaggerated at night without the sunlight to reflect. This overall warming impact is estimated to be about twice the impact of warming from aviation’s CO2 footprint. Contrails only form in certain atmospheric conditions, which are only present in certain regions of the atmosphere. By predicting these contrail-sensitive regions, we can explore contrail avoidance opportunities which would have an immediate mitigation effect. Research is underway to explore these opportunities while minimizing any incremental fuel burn.
What are 4Air’s 4 pillars?
4AIR looks at: 1) offsetting the carbon footprint through verified carbon credits, 2) addressing and offsetting the carbon and non-carbon footprint (nitrous oxides, contrails, water vapor, etc), 3) going beyond offsets to use a small portion of SAF in everyday operations, and 4) supporting new sustainability efficiencies and technology through research.
What is the future of aviation in relation to sustainability?
It is going to be a journey. Over the next few years, we will see increasing availability of sustainable fuels, improved infrastructure and electric ground vehicles, more efficient routing and flight planning, and contrail avoidance and mitigation efforts. Sustainability is really driving a new wave of innovation in aviation to rethink aircraft designs and propulsion. In the long run, it will be exciting to see changes in mobility (new urban and regional mobility options), the introduction of hydrogen and electric aircraft (each probably addressing a different type of mission), and new revolutionary aircraft designs. Each has the opportunity to improve the customer experience with aviation. The future is bright for how sustainability will motivate positive change and the next generation for aviation.
