NETJETS EU VOLUME 16 2021

NOTES FROM NETJETS
Sustainable management is an integral part of the
NetJets business model, and when it comes to being
environmentally and socially responsible – in the air, on
the ground and within our teams – a series of programmes
and initiatives are leading the way
THE RIGHT
STUFF
SINCE LAUNCHING A voluntary
carbon offset programme in
2008, NetJets has been at
the forefront of sustainability
in private aviation – from
achieving and maintaining a
carbon neutral status in Europe
since 2012, to establishing or
partaking in various schemes
that bring forth a more
sustainable, better society.
A large-scale investment in
sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)
is one of the most significant
advances. NetJets is the first
private aviation company to
go as far as taking a stake in
the actual production of SAF,
making a sizable investment
in SAF developer WasteFuel.
NetJets also represents the
business aviation industry in
SESAR (Single European Sky
ATM Research Programme)
on initiatives such as
addressing climate change by
enabling efficient routes for
business aviation.
Another scheme is the
Blue Skies programme,
which allows Owners a more
environmentally friendly way
to fly by paying extra on their
flights in order to offset their
emissions. The extra amount
is based on the hourly fuel
consumption of the aircraft
and the money raised is used
to purchase carbon credits
by a third-party organisation,
ClimateCare, which are then
used to invest in carefully
selected projects around the
world. These include a project
in Kenya, which provides burn
stoves for households that cut
CO 2
emissions and indoor air
pollution, and a reforestation
project in Guanare, Uruguay.
Of course, the more Owners
contribute to the scheme the
further we can reduce our
environmental footprint.
Other efforts include a
reduction in the use of singleuse
items – or replacement
with environmentally friendly
alternatives – both on board and
in NetJets facilities. Yet perhaps
the most striking aspect is the
personal commitment that
NetJets team members are
making to the cause.
To support the efforts to
move toward sustainability
in all the areas of our
business, we have created
the NetJets Philanthropy and
Sustainability Committee.
Since launching, this has
made significant strides in
reducing NetJets’ carbon
footprint while supporting
local communities. The
committee includes around 90
volunteers from across NetJets
US and Europe dedicated to
United Nations Sustainable
Development Goals.
Netjets Vice President
Ireland Tiernan Butler has
embodied the volunteer ethos
within the company since he
joined the committee as a team
leader in the Quality Education
Team. “I was already in a
volunteering process; however,
this opportunity came to
collaborate and apply change
on a broader scale which
was very exciting. NetJets to
its credit follows through on
its objectives so I knew the
committee was going to
have integrity and a positive
impact,” he says of his decision
to get involved.
“I think what distinguishes
sustainability from
philanthropy is addressing
issues in a manner that
makes them self-sufficient,”
he continues. “I find that
very attractive as it involves
creativity and problem-solving
with the solace that things are
improving long after you’ve
gone. Disadvantaged teens
and young adults face greater
hurdles at such a vulnerable
time in their lives that they
can often ignore or close
doors of opportunity without
realising it. The Quality
Education Team can reach out
to those unclear of their future
or unsure of themselves but
can in turn become reference
points and role models for
others in their community.”
The target is to produce
a credible educational
programme that will inspire
the disadvantaged to seek
employment or further
education. In this and the other
areas the committee covers
there is much work to be done
but there can be no doubt
that NetJets will continue to
search for solutions for a more
sustainable future.
ISTOCK
32 NetJets