Business Aviation Is Legitimate Target, Green Activist Says

One year after eco-activists walked into the static display at EBACE, and despite the judicial consequences for the unauthorized protesters, they consider their action met its goal in raising public awareness.

Moreover, business aviation is a legitimate target, even though it accounts for an extremely small fraction of global greenhouse gas emissions, says Joel Perret, a spokesperson for Extinction Rebellion Geneva.

Dozens of demonstrators defending the climate against business aviation, which they perceive as emitting a disproportionate amount of CO₂, made it into EBACE’s static display on May 23, 2023. The demonstration disrupted both the first day of the exhibition and traffic at Geneva Airport, which hosts the static.

Protestors unfurled large banners, emblazoned with messages such as “private jets are burning our future,” to make their point.

Representing various associations, from Greenpeace to Stay Grounded, Extinction Rebellion and Scientists Rebellion, they sat in front of several business jets, including the Gulfstream G800, and attached themselves to some aircraft. The static display was locked down after the security breach. The protestors were removed by police and private security, which allowed the static display to reopen.

“Media coverage was very good, domestically and internationally,” Perret says. “One year ago, in Switzerland, nobody knew about the show. Now, quite a lot of people remember, and know there is such a show. Keep in mind another, authorized demonstration happened, too.”

The protestors were sentenced to suspended day-fines (a cash penalty based on personal income), and the costs of the proceedings, Perret says. None of them were sentenced to jail. International treaties and the European Court of Human Rights protect non-violent action, Perret says.

Among Extinction Rebellion’s objectives, carbon neutrality should be reached by 2030. “Governments have shown they can communicate about a danger,” Perret says. “The current danger is immense and action should be taken, at least to the extent of the measures against the COVID-19.”

The environmental crisis is broader than climate change, Perret says, referring to the planetary boundaries scientists defined in 2009. “Business aviation is compatible with none of those eight limits,” he says. “By the way, I see an issue with the name, you can conduct your business with other means of transportation.”

Is business aviation a legitimate target, relative to the greater emissions drop that a widespread reduction in meat consumption, for instance, would bring? “The different measures should not exclude one another,” Perret says. “You can stop advertisement for aviation and reduce the consumption of meat. Business aviation involves a small number of persons. By influencing a few people, you get a remarkable result. In business aviation, the ratio between the enormous CO₂ emissions and the minimal benefit is considerable.”

Extinction Rebellion conducts actions outside aviation. Typically, from October 2023 to February, the group led a campaign for soft mobility, such as cycle and foot traffic, in cities.

Asked about the declining number of exhibitors at EBACE, Perret answered it is a step in the right direction. “It is a good thing that the show has reduced in size. Shows like EBACE should not exist, they are publicity for an extremely polluting activity,” he says. “If the show’s smaller size is a result of our action last year, it is great news. Just as tobacco ads are prohibited because tobacco is harmful for your health, publicity for aviation and business aviation should be banned. Such promotion harms all the measures you can take to comply with planetary boundaries.”