The aviation world is changing fast and so is the way we learn from it. This month’s Good Reads brings you five standout resources that cut through the noise and get to the heart of what really matters: smarter sustainability, clearer communication, and operational impact that sticks.
From eliminating plastic waste to decoding climate jargon, these reads are designed for airline teams who want to act, not just analyse. Whether you're in strategy, product, ops or innovation, there's insight here for you.
1. Tackling tourism plastic pollution
Tourism's Plastic Pollution Problem
Plastic pollution is one of the most urgent environmental threats today. Tourism is both part of the problem and the solution. With 80% of global tourism taking place in coastal areas, the sector significantly contributes to marine litter. The Global Tourism Plastics Initiative outlines how travel and tourism businesses, including airlines, can tackle the issue head-on by eliminating unnecessary plastics and redesigning operations around reuse and circularity.
Key takeaways
- Tourism contributes to sharp seasonal spikes in marine litter, especially in coastal areas.
- 8 million tonnes of plastic enter the ocean each year, threatening wildlife and ecosystems.
- Plastic production is resource-intensive and carbon-heavy. 99% of plastics are made from oil, gas or coal.
- If trends continue, plastics could account for 20% of global oil consumption by 2050.
Why it matters
Airlines are uniquely positioned to lead change. From in-flight catering to packaging and airport partnerships, reducing unnecessary plastics is a visible, immediate way to show commitment to environmental responsibility. It also aligns with passenger expectations and supports the ecosystems that tourism depends on.
2. Simpliflying’s 2025 aviation sustainability lexicon
The 2025 Aviation Sustainability Lexicon is here
The Aviation Sustainability Lexicon 2025 distils 50+ essential terms, ranging from “additionality” to “CO₂ removal” and SAF certifications (RSB, ISCC, GREET), into clear, concise definitions.
Key takeaways
- Clarifies complex industry jargon in plain language.
- Includes emerging topics such as carbon insetting and CO₂ removal.
- Strengthens SAF knowledge with accessible certification explanations.
Why it matters
A common sustainable language helps airline teams, policymakers and partners align on strategy. Decision-making, communication and credibility all benefit from this clarity.
3. WEF’s global aviation sustainability outlook 2025
Global Aviation Sustainability Outlook 2025
The World Economic Forum’s Outlook 2025 examines aviation’s net-zero path based on interviews with C-suite and ICAO‑linked roundtables.
Key takeaways
- Identifies cost and availability of SAF, geopolitical risk and protectionism as major short-term challenges.
- Highlights the need for updated ICAO state action plans aligned with post-COVID growth.
- Urges public‑private collaboration as essential to sustaining decarbonisation momentum.
Why it matters
This report offers a strategic compass: airlines and regulators can benchmark priorities and build partnerships to keep decarbonisation on track, without stalling growth.
4. European airports’ Net Zero paths
European airports commit to net zero carbon emissions under their control by 2050
The climate crisis demands urgent, system-wide change, and airports are stepping up. In a bold resolution adopted in 2019, ACI EUROPE and its members committed to reaching Net Zero carbon emissions from operations fully within their control by 2050. This commitment builds on more than a decade of experience through the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme, signalling that airports are no longer content with incremental change. They’re aiming for transformative impact.
Key takeaways
- Net Zero means balancing any residual CO₂ emissions with equivalent removals, either by avoiding emissions entirely or investing in carbon capture.
- Airports are reducing their own emissions through energy-efficient design, electrification of vehicles and infrastructure, and a shift to zero-carbon energy sources.
- Any remaining emissions will be addressed using Negative Emissions Technologies (NETs) such as reforestation or direct air capture.
- Airports are also enabling wider industry decarbonisation by supporting low-emissions aircraft, SAF deployment, and electric charging infrastructure.
Why it matters
Airports are critical nodes in aviation’s sustainability journey. Their ability to decarbonise ground operations, and to create the infrastructure needed for greener flight, gives airlines and OEMs a launchpad for long-term change.
The collaborative tone of the ACI Europe resolution also recognises that no single actor can deliver Net Zero alone. It’s a call for alignment, acceleration and innovation across the air transport ecosystem.
5. Wizz Air ranks most emissions-efficient airline
Wizz Air Tops Major Airlines Emissions Rankings
Cirium’s inaugural Flight Emissions Review ranks carriers by CO₂ per ASK. Wizz Air tops the list at 53.9 g CO₂/ASK, thanks to new neo-fleets and efficient engines.
Key takeaways
- Wizz Air holds a sector-leading emissions score with ultra-modern aircraft and active fleet renewal.
- Ranking backed by independent data and PwC assurance via Cirium’s EmeraldSky platform.
- Emissions ratings are now transparent and benchmarkable across carriers.
Why it matters
This is proof that environmental performance and operational strategy align. Airlines can use these metrics to drive fleet decisions, communicate performance and benchmark climate action publicly.
Final boarding call
These five sources form a practical toolkit: eliminate waste, speak a shared sustainable language, plan strategically, align infrastructure, and benchmark emissions performance.
From cleaner airports to clearer climate language, the aviation industry is brimming with ideas worth flying with. These five reads prove that sustainability isn’t just about ambition, it’s about action, accountability, and smart collaboration. The journey to Net Zero is complex, but it’s one we’re all on together.
Have thoughts or other good reads to share? Email us at reinventdigital@branchspace.com
