The evidence of climate change now appears overwhelming and the role of carbon emissions in contributing to it equally so. One of the biggest culprits in this regard is aviation fuel, yet many people in the philanthropy sector continue to clock up thousands of air miles a year going to meetings and conferences. How much of this is necessary? Are we being irresponsible and hypocritical, talking about environmental sustainability with, so to speak, one hand, while boarding yet another flight with the other? Alliance asked a number of key people in the sector how they felt about these issues. They were also asked about the technological alternatives to flying and the value of carbon offsets.

‘Calculatingly hypocritical but not irresponsible’