THE GREENEST EVER EBACE

EBACE 2023 - the most carbon-neutral edition of the business aviation convention to date was successfully held mid-May in Geneva although the environmentalists made a fuss on day one. There were new aircraft, new engines and new interiors. A special report

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"The business aviation community is committed to sustainability and carbon reduction in everything we dofrom the airport to the show floor and beyond. Not only will the event be among the most carbon-neutral editions of the show to date, but it will also feature a twoday summit focused on lowering the industry's overall carbon footprint. We are committed to sustainability on the ground and in the air," said Chris Strong of the US-based NBAA (National Business Aviation Association). He was speaking on the eve of Europe's biggest General Aviation event-EBACE (European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition)

The Palexpo Convention Centre in Geneva which has played host to the annual event since 2001, is powered completely by renewable energy. On its rooftop is the second-largest solarpower generator in Switzerland. For the show, all electricity consumption was tracked and all resulting carbon emissions is being offset through verified projects. This includes those emissions generated by shuttle buses to and from the show site.

Almost 80 per cent of the waste generated was sorted and recycled on-site. All food served at the event was locally sourced and sustainably delivered.

In 2021, industry leaders pledged to eliminate the industry's net carbon dioxide emissions by 2050. Aviation's commitment to climate change was reaffirmed last year ahead of the ICAO conference last year. There is no pressure to move towards that goal quickly. Increasingly governments worldwide want to curb CO2-intensive transport. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, for example, wants to ban private jets and small private flights because they cause disproportionate noise pollution and carbon dioxide emissions per passenger.

An EcoJet and eco demonstrators