Alternative narratives of aviation in a climate changed world
Steven Griggs and
David Howarth
Chapter 28 in Research Handbook on Air Transport Management, 2026, pp 371-385 from Edward Elgar Publishing
Abstract:
This chapter investigates the complex dynamics and politics of transformation and sustainability at work in the aviation industry. It evaluates current policies towards the green transformation of aviation and the contribution of flying to the climate change and global environmental crisis. The chapter identifies and characterises two predominant discourses or policy narratives of sustainable aviation: business-as-usual and demand management. Although the chapter affirms measures for managing demand for aviation, we argue that these dominant policy narratives in aviation are insufficiently articulated to tackle the contribution of aviation to climate change. Instead, we call for the elaboration of an emergent third discourse in aviation – post-growth aviation – which transcends narrow expectations of transition in aviation to embrace the radical transformation of aviation. The chapter thus challenges our very commitment to mobility and advances alternative lifestyles, which prefigure the possibilities of slow living and futures without flying.
Keywords: Climate change; Business-as-usual; Demand management; Post-growth aviation; Post-mobility; Alternative hedonism (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781035336272
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