Sustainability In The Air

Join Patrick Edmond, Managing Director of Altair Advisory and expert in sustainable aviation fuel, along with moderator Dirk Singer of SimpliFlying in a lively debate on aviation demand management. They explore the tension between airline growth and climate goals, dissect the 'guilt premium' in sustainable fuel adoption, and discuss the frequent flyer problem as a key contributor to emissions. Their insights also touch on the relationship between ticket pricing and travel behavior, emphasizing the urgent need for systemic changes to balance profitability with sustainability in air travel.

In this episode, we speak with Lucca Ewbank, Program Manager, Transport at InfluenceMap, who shares how the non-profit think tank uses data-driven analysis to assess corporate engagement with climate policies, and holds the corporate and financial sectors accountable for their role in climate change.Ewbank discusses:The significant disparity between what airlines say publicly versus what they advocate for in private meetings with policymakers, uncovered through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests that reveal how industry associations often oppose stronger climate regulations.The clear split within the aviation sector between “positive leaders” (typically low-cost carriers) who support more ambitious climate policies, and “laggards” (legacy carriers) who often oppose extensions of emissions trading schemes.Concerns about sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) policies, particularly how some industry players advocate for feedstock calculations that might underestimate emissions.The aviation industry’s consistent opposition to demand management measures, with examples of airlines taking legal action against flight caps at airports.The role investors can play in encouraging positive climate policy engagement by holding companies accountable for their lobbying activities and pushing for transparency between public commitments and private advocacy.Ewbank emphasises that while there are encouraging signs from some industry leaders, aviation emissions continue to grow rapidly even as other sectors reduce their climate impact, with EU aviation emissions rising 9.5% in 2023 while overall EU emissions fell by 8%.If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Matt Finch, UK Policy Manager at Transport & Environment, who discusses the need for more ambitious policies and actions to address aviation’s environmental impact. Check it out here. Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.Links & More:InfluenceMapNew research shows major US airline and biofuel industries push for weaker US sustainable aviation fuel policy - InfluenceMap US Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) policies and corporate engagement - InfluenceMap EY, Capgemini & InfluenceMap: How to close the 'Say-Do Gap' - Sustainability Magazine 

In this episode, we speak with Jan Toschka, CEO of Zaffra, a joint venture between Topsoe and Sasol.  Toschka shares insights about scaling sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production and why he believes the aviation industry must take responsibility for its own decarbonisation rather than relying on other sectors.Toschka discusses:The unique positioning of Zaffra, combining Topsoe’s expertise in low-carbon HEFA technology with Sasol’s experience in building and operating large-scale gas-to-liquid facilities, positioning them strongly in both renewable and synthetic SAF production.His perspective on financing SAF infrastructure, breaking down the seemingly daunting €250 billion European investment needed by 2050 into more manageable numbers – about €10 billion annually, which could be funded by approximately €10 per passenger across Europe's billion annual travellers.The complementary role of different SAF technologies, with HEFA being the most de-risked pathway currently available, whilst power-to-liquid (PTL) solutions are expected to provide at least 50% of SAF volume in 20-30 years.The importance of both mandates and incentives in driving SAF adoption, with EU mandates helping de-risk demand whilst US incentives under the IRA make investments more manageable. Toschka suggests a combination of both approaches, similar to the UK model, might work best.The strategic approach to SAF distribution, advocating for focused deployment at 20-30 major hub airports initially, supported by book-and-claim systems, rather than attempting immediate widespread distribution across all airports.Toschka emphasises that whilst the aviation industry should pursue multiple decarbonisation pathways including hydrogen and electric aircraft, SAF remains the only viable solution for long-haul aviation in the foreseeable future, and the industry cannot afford to wait for perfect solutions whilst existing aircraft continue operating.If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Sarah Ellerby, CEO of Nova Pangaea Technologies (NPT), a UK-based cleantech company that has created a patented technology to enable SAF production from agricultural and forestry waste. Check it out here. Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.Links & More:ZaffraSasol and Topsoe launch Zaffra: A venture to help decarbonise aviation - Renewable Energy Magazine 

In this episode, we speak with Grace Cheung, General Manager, Sustainability at Cathay, who shares insights about industry collaboration, and why she believes making aviation “greener together” requires participation from every stakeholder in the value chain.Cheung discusses:Her journey from marketing communications to sustainability and how her background helps “translate” complex environmental initiatives into understandable business language for stakeholders and customers.Cathay’s ambitious target of achieving 10% SAF usage by 2030, including their innovative partnership with HSBC Hong Kong and EcoCeres to develop local SAF supply chains in Asia.The evolution of sustainability at Cathay, from early voluntary environmental reporting in 1998 to today’s comprehensive approach involving fleet modernisation, with a HKD100 billion investment in over 100 new aircraft over the next seven years.How cross-industry collaboration in sustainable aviation, particularly through oneworld Alliance and International Air Transport Association (IATA) partnerships, allows airlines to share best practices for environmental progress. Cheung chairs the oneworld alliance Environment & Sustainability Board and is Vice Chair of the IATA Sustainability & Environment Advisory Council.The challenges of funding SAF’s price premium and potential solutions, including government initiatives like Singapore’s SAF levy and Hong Kong’s upcoming SAF usage targets.If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Anko van der Werff, President & CEO of Scandinavian Airlines (SAS). Check it out here. Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.Links & More:Cathay Pacific Cathay sets new 2030 carbon intensity target in support of its 2050 net-zero goal - Cathay Pacific HSBC Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific and EcoCeres partner to support SAF use Cathay to invest over HKD 100 billion to enhance product and customer experience - ETTravelWorld 

In this episode, we speak with Dick Benschop, Chair of the Board at Mission Possible Partnership (MPP), an alliance of climate leaders focused on supercharging efforts to decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors.Benschop discusses:The challenge of decarbonising aviation amid rapid growth with focus on both efficiency and sustainable fuels.How blending mandates can break the “chicken and egg” problem between SAF suppliers and airlines, with Europe’s 2% mandate in 2025 serving as a catalyst for market development. Currently, there are 40 SAF plants in operation and 10 with Final Investment Decision (FID), representing about 50% of 2030 capacity needs, with 143 more plants announced*.The importance of smart environmental constraints over simple capacity caps, advocating for declining noise and CO2 emission limits that allow airlines to “earn their place” through innovation.The potential for electric and hydrogen aircraft to serve up to one-third of aviation energy demand by 2050, with electric planes operational by 2030 and hydrogen aircraft following by 2035.How breaking down silos between sectors can accelerate decarbonisation, using lessons from aviation’s blending mandates to inform solutions in other industries like green fertiliser production.Benschop emphasises that achieving net-zero aviation requires looking beyond individual sectors to system-wide solutions, highlighting the need for coordinated action across industry, government and consumers. *Note: The podcast mentions different figures for the number of SAF plants needed. The numbers cited above reflect MPP’s latest analysis, which shows that actual plants are larger than initially assumed, meaning fewer total plants are needed to meet 2030 capacity targets. If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Andrew Chen, Principal for Aviation Decarbonisation at RMI, who shares the non-profit’s multi-faceted approach to aviation decarbonisation. Check it out here. Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.Links & More:Mission Possible PartnershipAviation - Mission Possible Partnership Aviation Net Zero Explorer - Mission Possible PartnershipMission Possible Partnership unveils how three of the most carbon intensive industries can reach net zero by 2050 and cut emissions in the next decade - RMI 

Anna Stratton, Associate Director of Aviation at ClimateWorks Foundation, discusses the pivotal role of philanthropy in achieving net zero in aviation. She highlights how funding can support sustainable aviation practices and emerging markets. Key insights include Europe’s ReFuelEU policy as a model for sustainable aviation fuel, the potential of hydrogen for short flights, and the excitement around contrail mitigation. Stratton urges a comprehensive approach that includes various solutions beyond sustainable fuels and emphasizes the importance of collaboration and innovation in the sector.

Matthew Gorman, Director of Carbon Strategy and Sustainability at Heathrow Airport, shares insights from over 15 years of leading sustainability initiatives. He discusses Heathrow's Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) incentive scheme, which supports airlines in adopting SAF and aims for a 3% target by next year. Gorman breaks down the airport's carbon footprint and highlights ambitious NOx emissions reduction goals. He also delves into the future of hydrogen aviation and the balance between environmental responsibility and maintaining global connectivity.

Sally Davey, CEO of Travalyst, leads a non-profit coalition formed by Prince Harry to foster sustainable tourism through collaboration. She discusses uniting major travel companies like Google and Expedia to enhance eco-friendly practices. The conversation covers Travalyst's data-driven initiatives, including the open-source Travel Impact Model, which empowers travelers with carbon footprint insights. Davey envisions regenerative tourism that benefits local communities and emphasizes the importance of consistent sustainability metrics in reshaping the travel industry.

Dr. Christoph Gebald, co-founder and co-CEO of Climeworks, shares insights on pioneering direct air capture technology for sustainable aviation. He discusses how their innovative DAC technology captures and permanently stores CO2, highlighting a major breakthrough that doubles capture capacity while reducing energy use. Gebald also reveals the significance of partnerships with major airlines and the launch of their Mammoth plant in Iceland, aimed at capturing 36,000 tons of CO2 annually. His optimistic view on consumer demand underscores the importance of integrated climate solutions.

Aviation executives share their bold strategies for achieving net-zero emissions. Scandinavian Airlines is pushing for electric flights by 2028, while Alaska Airlines aims for carbon neutrality by 2040. Boeing is on track for 100% sustainable aviation fuel compatibility by 2030. Pittsburgh International Airport proudly operates off-grid and advances sustainable fuel options. Meanwhile, Truckee Tahoe Airport leads the way with full SAF adoption. Collaboration across the industry is key to turning sustainable ambitions into reality.