GlobalData recently conducted a poll and found that 68% of respondents considered climate change the most important environmental, socio- and governance (ESG), and airlines were cited as the biggest contributors to CO2 emissions. GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, notes that carbon capture is not the only tool for addressing climate change. However, it can have a significant impact on ensuring a sustainable future for travel.GlobalData recently conducted a poll* that revealed 68% of respondents believe climate change is the most important environmental, socio- and governance (ESG), and airlines were cited as the biggest contributors to CO2 emissions. GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, notes that carbon capture is not the only tool for tackling climate change. However, it can have a significant impact on ensuring a sustainable future in travel.North East Scotland is currently developing a large-scale facility capable of removing up to 1 million tons CO2 per year. The Direct Air Capture Plan (DAC) is a joint venture between Storegga in the UK and Carbon Engineering in Canada. CO2 can be taken out of the atmosphere and pumped into ground. It can also be sold to commercial purposes or used as a liquid fuel. While a sustainable aviation fuel made from CO2 will not permanently remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, it would create a more circular economy and lessen the environmental damage it is currently causing.The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change(IPCC) states that if the world is to remain safe, global temperature rise must be below 1.5C by the end the century. 2020 temperatures are already at 1.2C higher than historical levels. We need to reduce emissions of gases that drive them up, including CO2 and those from airlines and general travel.Johanna Bonhill Smith, GlobalData's Travel & Tourism Analyst, says: Airlines are implementing net zero carbon emission plans. United Airlines was the latest airline to promise this feat by 2050. American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific and Cathay Pacific are also part of the Oneworld Alliance. They have also promised to fulfill this promise by 2050.Environmentally conscious consumers are also more likely to care about the environment. GlobalDatas survey** showed that 42% of global respondents were influenced by how ethical/environmentally-friendly/ socially responsible a product or service was. This was significantly more influential than the digitally-advanced/smartness of the product/service (always and often influenced 35%). This is a reflection of consumers' priorities moving forward. Companies could make sustainability commitments more attractive in their purchasing decisions.Bonhill-Smith says: There is a real potential for direct air capture in order to combat climate change, and create a more sustainable future of travel. This technology could be a major benefit for sustainable aviation in the future. This could reduce carbon emissions by using carbon already present in the air to create fuel. It cannot be relied on alone.For example, the Direct Air Capture plan that is being implemented in Scotland will not fully be operational until 2026. To combat climate change in travel, it is imperative that we act now. This technology should be considered as an additional initiative to reduce emissions. It is not a panacea for climate change. However, it can be a catalyst for growth and a better future.*GlobalDatas poll, online since February 2021 253 respondents** GlobalDatas Q1 2021 consumer poll, 21,768 global respondentsDaily News Delivery Subscribe to your colleagues and keep up-to-date on the latest trends and news in the Travel industry. Subscribe2021 Travel Industry Wire
