Business aviation is a sustainability leader. Despite accounting for just 0.04% of global carbon emissions, the industry continues to develop lower-emissions aircraft and identify new ways to reduce waste and emissions from business operations.
Among business aviation companies, Gulfstream Aerospace is at the sustainability forefront. In addition to designing increasingly efficient business jets – its current fleet features fuel-efficiency gains of up to 33% over previous models – the company has implemented a series of initiatives to lower the environmental impact of its business operations during the past decade.
When, in 2024, the company wanted to get even more aggressive about sustainability, it needed just the right person to lead the charge in the new role of chief sustainability officer. The person Gulfstream hired was Smitha Hariharan.
Accelerating Progress in Business Aviation Sustainability
Gulfstream brought Hariharan on board to help accelerate the company’s progress towards industry and internal goals, which include meeting General Dynamics’ goals of reducing Scope 1 and Scope 2 carbon dioxide emissions by 40% by 2034, relative to 2019.
“Sustainability has been a Gulfstream pillar since 2009, when the company started looking more closely at aircraft efficiency, reducing the carbon footprint of operations, and exploring alternative fuels,” she explained. “I was brought on board to look under the hood, review sustainability efforts across the organization, prioritize projects that move us towards strategic goals, fund those projects and measure the results.”
“Sustainability has been a Gulfstream pillar since 2009, when the company started looking more closely at aircraft efficiency, reducing the carbon footprint of operations, and exploring alternative fuels.”
SMITHA HARIHARAN, Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer at Gulfstream Aerospace
Biography of a Sustainability Leader
At the start of her career, Hariharan – who holds a Master of Science in Engineering Management from Missouri University of Science and Technology and a Master of Business Administration from Yale – worked in onshore and offshore oil and gas exploration. Next, she joined Halliburton, working in operations management, product management and business development, before becoming head of sustainability at Halliburton Energy Services.
Beyond the experiences and abilities detailed in her C.V., though, what made Hariharan stand out most to Gulfstream was the passion she brings to her work.
“You have to have a passion for sustainability, along with a clear understanding of sustainability principles,” she said, explaining how she progressed to her current leadership role.
Inside Gulfstream’s Sustainability Strategy
Using sustainable aviation fuel to lower flight operations emissions is central to Gulfstream’s sustainability strategy. The company is also creating more sustainable operations on the ground. Its newer facilities boast energy-saving features including recycled building materials, energy-efficient lighting, radiant heating systems, advanced HVAC control systems for heating and cooling, rainwater harvesting and preferred parking for low-emission automobiles.
That’s all great – but it’s not enough for Hariharan.
“All of these areas need to be more environmentally sustainable,” she said.
Making Business Goals and Sustainability Goals Mutually Supportive
For many business aviation companies, one of the biggest obstacles to implementing more aggressive sustainability initiatives can be justifying sustainability investments from a bottom-line perspective. According to Hariharan, while the Paris Climate Agreement brought attention to business sustainability, it also highlighted the perceived dichotomy between sustainability and profitability.
“Laying down the right framework for your company and where it is on the sustainability journey requires clear thinking, identifying priorities and understanding the role your organization plays in the business aviation value chain.”
SMITHA HARIHARAN, Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer at Gulfstream Aerospace
For her, ensuring that business goals and sustainability goals are mutually supportive is key to making meaningful progress. Doing sustainability right means really, deeply understanding how your business creates value – and how sustainability programs can accelerate value creation.
“Laying down the right framework for your company and where it is on the sustainability journey requires clear thinking, identifying priorities and understanding the role your organization plays in the business aviation value chain,” she explained.
Partnering With CLIMBING. FAST. to Drive Business Aviation Sustainability
As part of its effort to lead in sustainability, Gulfstream is partnering with CLIMBING. FAST., an advocacy campaign showcasing business aviation’s many benefits to society, from creating opportunities for today’s workforce to spearheading the drive to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The campaign highlights business aviation sustainability leaders, innovations, and milestones, in addition to the industry’s value to citizens, businesses and communities.
According to Hariharan, CLIMBING. FAST. effectively communicates the shared goals of business aviation companies and the industry’s significant sustainability achievements, while also identifying ways the industry can collaborate to lower emissions and reduce waste. Based on her work at Gulfstream and things like the company’s partnership with CLIMBING. FAST., she is optimistic about progress toward sustainability in business aviation.
“I am so glad to be a part of this company and this industry at this time,” Hariharan said. “The pace at which we are approaching sustainability is incredible, and establishes business aviation as a leader in this space.”
“The pace at which we are approaching sustainability is incredible and establishes business aviation as a leader in this space.”
SMITHA HARIHARAN, Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer at Gulfstream Aerospace
