Sharing private aviation’s good news story

Microsoft co-founder and billionaire Bill Gates is a frequent flyer who makes good use of his private jet. He’s also a big proponent of environmental responsibility and new climate technologies.  

So, how does Gates reconcile those two positions, which some might say are at odds with each other?

In an early 2023 interview with BBC, the successful businessman and recognized philanthropist said he does everything possible to compensate for his family’s carbon footprint.

“I buy the gold standard of funding, Climeworks, to do direct air capture that far exceeds my family's carbon footprint, and I spend billions of dollars on climate innovation,” said Gates.

He founded Breakthrough Energy Group in 2015, an organization that aims to tackle climate-related challenges by focusing on the development of new technologies in manufacturing, electricity, agriculture, transportation and buildings.

So far, Gates has reportedly invested more than $2 billion towards the development of climate technologies. He says he is part of the solution – his private jet is a tool that enables him to travel from place to place in support of his charitable and climate initiatives. In January 2023, for instance, he toured Kenyan farms to understand how innovative practices are enabling farmers to combat the effects of a changing climate.

While most of us don’t have the same resources as Gates, the message is clear: We must all do what we can in the fight against climate change.  

Naturally, people who are chartering a private jet are concerned about the impact their flight will have on the environment.

General aviation aircraft, including business jets, account for about 0.2 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions. While this is a small portion of worldwide transportation-related emissions, the industry takes its contribution seriously. Over the years, it has pioneered many new technologies that have subsequently made their way to the commercial aviation sphere – fuel-saving winglets are a good example.

Private aviation has a good story to tell. As we work towards a wider industry goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, a lot of exciting initiatives are underway.

Engine manufacturers are increasing efficiency and incorporating alternative power from batteries and hydrogen. In just a few years, electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft will begin taking to the sky. Testing of these new designs is well underway, and they will shortly enter service for private charter.

eVTOL aircraft. Credit: Volocopter.

As well, aircraft manufacturers are researching more aerodynamic blended wing designs that reduce drag and increase efficiency.

Finally, fixed-base operators are making numerous improvements to their facilities to reduce their carbon footprints, including the introduction of electric ground vehicles to service aircraft and energy-saving LED lighting, among others.

Of course, the race is on to mass produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Universal adoption and widespread access to SAF will be the most important weapon in aviation’s climate change efforts. Private aviation was one of the earliest adopters of SAF. Increasing widespread use of SAF will depend on the airline industry’s broader adoption of the product.

Credit: Adsgroup UK

It’s time to partner with respected educational institutions or other authorities to further the production and adoption of SAF, while the industry as a whole pursues other operational changes that can reduce its collective carbon footprint.

It’s time to be transparent about climate efforts and counter pervasive misinformation with proven facts.

It’s time to acknowledge responsibility for emissions and share industry’s exciting efforts to reduce or eliminate them.

Reduce your carbon footprint while flying privately with ELEVATE

Here at ELEVATE, we share business aviation’s commitment to greener operations. We have implemented a carbon offset program though Terrapass, which will allow our aircraft charter customers to offset the environmental impact of their flight. For example, it will cost about $70 to offset a light jet flying a two-hour trip. In another case, super or midsize private jets flying for nine hours would incur offset costs around $600 or more. And, in the last year, ELEVATE has taken a leadership position by switching entirely to solar power for its back office functions, while re-distributing unused production capacity to the electrical grid.