ESG in Aviation
The aviation sector faces one of the greatest challenges of the contemporary era: balancing the growth in demand with the urgency of sustainability. Investing in ESG is not just an ethical issue, but a strategic necessity—to ensure innovation, competitiveness, and resilience.
The impact of the sector
Commercial aviation accounts for about 2% to 3% of global CO₂ emissions, but its real effect on global warming is even greater. This is because, in addition to carbon, airplanes produce phenomena and pollutants that intensify the climate impact.
One example is condensation trails ( contrails ) , which act like a "blanket" in the atmosphere, trapping heat. There is also the emission of nitrogen oxides (NOx) , which contribute to the formation of tropospheric ozone, a very potent greenhouse gas.
Taken together, these factors can double or even triple the impact of aviation in terms of direct CO₂ emissions. Therefore, the sector is considered a key focus in global decarbonization strategies and ESG practices related to air mobility.
Some effects of ESG on Aviation
The reality of ESG
ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance . The concept emerged as a way to measure how committed companies and organizations are to responsible and sustainable practices in three dimensions:
Environmental (E): actions to reduce environmental impacts, such as emissions control, efficient use of resources, and combating climate change.
Social (S – Social ): people-centered practices, including diversity, employee well-being, human rights, and positive community impact.
Governance (G): ethical and transparent management policies that involve compliance, combating corruption, and accountability in decision-making.
More than a trend, ESG is now a global criterion for competitiveness, influencing everything from access to investments to the confidence of consumers, partners, and society.
The importance
Credibility and reputation: Promoting ESG practices demonstrates commitment to emerging challenges and reinforces stakeholder trust.
Access to financing and incentives: Investors and financial institutions favor companies with structured ESG policies.
Preparing for the future: Global decarbonization targets (such as net-zero by 2050) generate regulatory demands that anticipate competition.
Operational efficiency and innovation: Green fuels and governance practices can generate direct gains in operating costs and image.
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Potential reduction of up to
80% in CO₂ emissions
with the use of sustainable fuels (SAF), compared to traditional fossil fuels.
94% of the world's financial institutions
They already recognize sustainability as a strategic priority, according to a report from the "UN Principles for Responsible Banking" program.
43 airlines have already made commitments.
volunteers with SAF totaling approximately US$50 billion