18 TTGB FL Green corner 29/1/09 12:26 Page 18
18 frontline
greencorner
Travel avatars meet
up in a virtual world
Innovations in green technology and environmental issues
Losing battle to cut CO
2
emissions as
cleaner aircraft overtaken by growth
L50552
The Institute of Travel Management is to
set up a virtual office where Second Life avatars
can discover more about the organisation and its
Icarus project. The not-for-profit group plans to
host its inaugural Second Life conference in the
third quarter of this year.
Paul Tilstone, ITM’s chief executive, says the
initiative is a fun way to explore serious issues
and a real alternative application for the
meetings and events market. “We want people
to use this as an opportunity to discuss and
debate important industry issues,” he said.
“I believe the virtual platform lends itself well
to open and ground-breaking discussion as
delegates can participate with anonymity.”
Quieter, more efficient planes – but growth means gloomy emissions forecasts
Tilstone told ttgbusiness he was impressed by
the results from a virtual conference held
L50552
Technological advances designed to “very small” effect on global carbon emissions, recently by a major consultancy. “There were
make air travel more sustainable will not be only slowing the forecast growth of emissions 140 people involved in the meeting and the
able to keep up with the volume of CO
2
from 142% to 135% by 2020. organisers found delegates interacted differently
emitted by aircraft, according to the Aviation But Johnson said airlines were given an because they were masked by their virtual
Environment Federation. AEF director unfair proportion of criticism: “Air travel persona,” he said. “People were not afraid to
Tim Johnson told an Institute of Travel is a bit of a pariah. Non-governmental ask questions and make points.”
Management forum that present levels of organisations and the media all talk up its In the Second Life world, participants make up
carbon emissions are set to double by 2040. role. Whenever climate change is mentioned, their own identity and don’t have to reveal their
“Jet engines will become far more efficient people ask about aviation and shipping.” name or occupation. Tilstone’s Second Life
and much less noisy. But even so, the long- ITM’s chief executive, Paul Tilstone, pseudonym is Cormac Tigerpaw.
term situation is that growth in industry suggested that consumers should be prepared “When we hold our first virtual meeting we
means carbon dioxide emissions will outstrip to take more responsibility for carbon will be discussing the rise of the Second Life
technological advances,” he said. emissions emitted by aircraft. He said: application and looking at the difference it can
Johnson’s comments came on the same day “If I burn energy in my house it is my make to the carbon produced at meetings or
as transport secretary Geoff Hoon announced responsibility as a consumer. But in the travel events,” Tilstone said. He added that the
the government’s plans to press ahead with a industry it seems to be the supplier’s.” platform would let members of the travel
SE
third runway at Heathrow. Tilstone added: “I don’t think CSR issues community “bare their souls”.
Airlines and Labour politicians have claimed have been pushed back because of the down- The virtual office is
cleaner aircraft will lead to a 50% fall in carbon turn. I believe reducing emissions is still a powered by Second ANY/H. GOUS
emissions by 2020. But Johnson said the priority for most businesses. Now’s the perfect Life specialists New OMP
European Union’s emissions trading scheme time to explore the issue in greater depth.” Business Horizons. X
M C
– to be introduced in 2012 – would have a ✱ More at aef.org.uk ✱ More at itm.org.uk
A380 – E
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