Urban air mobility company Ascent commits to climate neutrality

Ascent, an Asian urban air mobility (UAM) service, has announced its commitment to climate neutrality, by signing the United Nations Climate Neutral Now Pledge. This is said to signify an important step towards reducing the contribution of UAM to the climate crisis. 

“As urban air mobility continues to grow and contribute more to the productivity of people and the general economy, we must take the necessary steps to make it more sustainable by limiting its contributions to climate change. By signing the United Nations Climate Neutral Now Pledge we are taking a long term commitment to take an active part in making urban air mobility a more sustainable and impactful solution, with the use of helicopters today and electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (eVTOLs) in the future,” said Lionel Sinai-Sinelnikoff, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Ascent.

“With the advent of eVTOLs, we believe the industry is well prepared for the low-carbon economy. In the meantime, we look forward to contributing to enabling and accelerating the arrival of eVTOLs while reducing our carbon footprint where we can and offsetting where we cannot.”

Ascent selects projects around the globe amongst United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) certified projects that reduce, avoid or removes greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere. Many of these projects operate in developing countries where a bigger community impact can be made.

“Addressing climate change is no longer about ensuring a better future for coming generations. It is about the survival of human society. It is necessary that everyone takes immediate action to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions in all ways possible. And when reducing is not possible for any reason, we must commit to at least compensate with credible carbon credits to encourage further emission reductions. Air travel is a significant contributor to global warming and the industry needs to take measures immediately to deal with its footprint.

“We are encouraged to see Ascent committing to look for ways to further reduce the emissions of the services it provides, and compensate the rest while there is no alternative. We hope to see the whole transportation industry transitioning to a sustainable model very soon, and invite other companies to follow Ascent’s example,” said Niclas Svenningsen, Manager, Global Climate Action, UN Climate Change.