Jet firm Gulfstream hires first Chief Sustainability Officer

US-based private jet manufacturer Gulfstream Aerospace has named Smitha Hariharan as its first Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer. 

In this newly created role, Hariharan will be tasked with aligning Gulfstream’s business strategy with the aerospace industry’s sustainability goals and principles. She joins from oil services corporation Halliburton, where she spent the past 12 years, most recently as Global Head of Sustainability (since 2022).

There, she developed Halliburton’s short and long-term sustainability commitments, which include a 40% carbon intensity reduction for Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2035 – a target that was not verified by the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi). Between 2022 and 2023, the firm’s Scope 1 emissions increased by 3.7% to more than 3.4 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, while Scope 2 emissions more than doubled, to 843,376 tonnes.

But according to Halliburton’s latest sustainability report, as of 2023, carbon intensity was down 13% compared to 2018, suggesting the company is on track to meet its target despite recent increases in absolute emissions.

Gulfstream sustainability: Betting on SAF

At Gulfstream, Hariharan will build on existing sustainability efforts, which saw the firm reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 18% between 2014 and 2021 (reaching 160,945 tonnes of CO2e that year).

Gulfstream now has an objective of cutting Scope 1 and 2 emissions by a further 15% by 2025, contributing to parent company General Dynamics’ target of 40% CO2 emissions reduction by 2034.

The company has also been increasing the percentage of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) used on flights, and completed the world’s first private trans-Atlantic flight on 100% SAF in both engines in November 2023. 

“Sustainability continues to be a major focus for our company and the business aviation industry. Gulfstream is committed to supporting General Dynamics’ goal of reducing Scope 1 and Scope 2 carbon dioxide emissions by 40% by 2034, relative to 2019. Smitha’s expertise will help us elevate our strengths while driving our strategy forward at an advanced pace. We look forward to the insights and knowledge she will bring as we continue to lead the industry in our efforts,” said Mark Burns, President, Gulfstream.