With global air traffic markedly down, passenger airlines are doing their utmost to lay the foundation for a return to “normal.” One way they’re doing so is by touting their allegedly “green” endeavors. Fortunately, such “greenwashing” has not gone unchallenged.

Last month, Stay Grounded hosted a webinar titled “Greenwashing and False Solutions.” Stay Grounded is a global network made up of organizations fighting airport expansion; it also includes climate justice groups, NGOs, trade unions, and initiatives fostering alternatives to aviation and struggles against offset projects or biofuel plantations. Its November 6, 2020 webinar explored “the various elaborate ways in which the aviation industry is seeking to talk about ‘green aviation’.” The webinar featured invaluable presentations by five individuals:

Finlay Asher (Scotland), former aerospace engineer & aircraft engine designer, Rolls Royce;

Alethea Warrington (London, England) Campaigns Manager, Possible;

Almuth Ernsting (Edinburgh, Scotland), Co-Director of Biofuel Watch;

Gary Hughes (San Francisco Bay Area, California) California Policy Monitor, Biofuel Watch; and

Simone Lovera (Asunción, Paraguay) Executive Director, Global Forest Coalition.

FlyingLess is happy to be able to share the webinar with you here.