Welcome to the first edition of the CLIMBING. FAST. UPDATE, your source for all the advocacy campaign’s efforts to drive business aviation’s sustainability narrative and underscore our commitment to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Here is a recap of some 2024 milestones.
Capitol Hill Debut
At the beginning of the year, CLIMBING. FAST. debuted on Capitol Hill in a dedicated session hosted by the House Bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus. The event highlighted business aviation’s sustainability leadership and underscored the industry’s push to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The campaign kick-off meeting featured representatives with industry leaders from Bombardier, GE Aerospace, Honeywell Aerospace Technologies, Joby Aviation and World Energy Supply Zero.
As the year got underway, leaders representing the sustainability value chain took part in the first-ever CLIMBING. FAST. panel discussion before The Aero Club of Washington. Nationwide collegiate aviation fraternity Alpha Eta Rho (AHP) joined the campaign as a formal member and hosted its first-ever CLIMBING. FAST. Capitol Hill fly-in. NBAA’s Young Professionals in Business Aviation (YoPro) organization followed shortly thereafter by sending 70 of the industry’s best for a second fly-in. The European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) became a partner, making the campaign transatlantic in nature.
Mobilizing Grassroots Leaders
Most recently, the campaign leveraged the congressional summer home-state work period with a sustainability message in lawmakers’ hometown newspapers. Local civic leaders and organizations — including the Kansas State Grange, Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Center for Sustainable Infrastructure and others — mobilized with CLIMBING. FAST. in publishing a series of letters to the editor highlighting business aviation’s value and sustainability leadership. The letters also commended members of the newly formed House and Senate Sustainable Aviation Caucuses. Also in Q3, a focused CLIMBING. FAST. social media campaign reached industry and Capitol Hill audiences, garnering a half-million engagements.
