This project was a scientific report published by Stay Grounded, a global network of 200+ organizations studying aviation’s contribution to climate change. My role was to reshape 50+ pages of copy, merging the voice and style of 25 non-native English-speaking authors into a clear, cohesive publication.

At a glance:

At the Degrowth of Aviation conference in Barcelona, The Stay Grounded Network met to discuss how to counter harmful emissions from an ever-expanding air travel industry.

Only 10% of the world's population has ever been on a plane, proving that air travel is often a non-essential luxury. Avoiding the impending climate crisis will require unprecedented efforts to reduce fossil fuels by 50% in the next fifteen years, and entirely eliminate our dependence on them by 2050.

Meanwhile, the aviation industry continues to expand at an alarming rate. Current action measures often shift focus away from aviation's contribution to climate change, pointing instead to disadvantages that come with "green growth" solutions.

But what are the essential steps for true social-ecological transformation? What obstacles might they involve? Do the current proposals really bring about climate justice?

These were some of the questions addressed at the Degrowth of Aviation conference, a Stay Grounded event where 150+ participants from 50 countries met to explore potential climate actions, all without taking a single flight. Barcelona has become widely known for its growing opposition to airport expansion and mass tourism, making it the perfect meeting place.

Our attendees had strong backgrounds in climate justice movements, with many working for NGOs, trade unions, and universities. The conference's principal aim was to explore measures combating aviation in seven parallel working groups:

• Taxes

• Frequent flyer and air miles levies

• Limiting short-haul flights

• Moratoria on airports

• Institutional travel policy ch anges

• Alternatives to aviation

• Degrowth of tourism

Several core questions accompanied discussions in the working groups:

• What role can price instruments play when trying to degrow aviation? What taxation system would be socially just?

• Where do we need regulatory instruments like limits to the numbers of flights or moratoria on airport projects?

• Should we consider banning flights on shorter routes? Could such regulatory instrument be added to taxations mechanisms?

• What is needed to improve alternatives to flying?

• What role does tourism play in the discussion surrounding degrowth of aviation?

Some of these proposed measures have the potential to work within our current economic system, while others could challenge its very foundations. Additional suggestions touch upon the ethics of whether or not individual liberties should be restricted. Current international aviation politics are dominated by an industry lobby that will never support aviation limitations.

Severely limiting the aviation sector is the only way to effectively cut its emissions. Grassroots and civil society movements must push for the solutions needed to reach a climate-friendly mobility system.

The Stay Grounded Network aims to incentivise further discussion about possible steps forward in the aviation space. To be clear, our report is not a manifesto or readymade strategy; each presented measure has its advantages and disadvantages. The following study is merely a contribution to the discussion from experts with a science background. It would be fatal to rely on politicians who fail to grasp the urgency of necessary change in the transport sector, or an aviation industry that refuses to voluntarily give up its privilege and power.

We hope these findings serve as a resource for further academic research and campaigns surrounding this global issue. In particular, we hope our report provides pertinent facts and figures for activists campaigning to bring about real change in the aviation sector.

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