The political shifts in the landscape has a profound impact on the pace and direction of aviation’s decarbonisation journey. As administrations change, so too do policy priorities, regulatory frameworks, and international commitments — creating both opportunities and challenges for the aviation sector. This opening session will explore the potential implications of shifting political currents, focusing on how they could reshape global aviation’s path to net zero.
Key topics will include the future SAF and how changes in government support, tax incentives, and production targets could either accelerate or hinder adoption. Will we see a new wave of mandates, or a reassessment of costs? The session will also examine the future of CORSIA and the broader international carbon market. What might be the ramifications of the new US administration for CORSIA, a critical year with the upcoming ICAO General Assembly, what might this mean for regional schemes like the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), and for global alignment on efforts to reduce global aviation emissions?
Geopolitical tensions and shifting trade policies — including the potential for new tariffs affecting business travel — could further disrupt aviation’s recovery and investment in sustainable projects. As national populism rises and governments reassess spending priorities, how can the aviation sector secure funding for decarbonisation projects and maintain investor confidence? Leading policymakers, industry executives, and sustainability experts will weigh the advantages and disadvantages of political change. Will increased flexibility and regional independence open new opportunities for innovation, or will fragmented regulation create barriers to progress? How can the EU and UK position themselves strategically to lead on sustainable aviation in this evolving landscape?
This session will provide a strategic overview of the intersection between politics and sustainable aviation, setting the stage for deeper discussions throughout the summit on aligning industry and policy for a more resilient and sustainable future.
Join industry leaders as they set the stage for a deeper exploration of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) by defining what success looks like in SAF adoption and identifying the key obstacles that stand in the way. Industry experts, including leaders from airlines, fuel producers, and policymakers, will provide a clear and realistic picture of how SAF can contribute to achieving Net Zero aviation goals.
The conversation will address essential criteria for SAF success, such as scalability, cost-effectiveness, lifecycle emissions reduction, and supply chain development. Panellists will also tackle the challenges of production, infrastructure, policy support, and market incentives. This session will prepare participants for the afternoon workshops by offering critical insights and practical considerations, equipping them to engage in more detailed discussions and solutions-focused activities.
Financing remains one of the most critical factors in determining whether sustainable aviation projects succeed or stall. In this investor-led session, the audience will hear directly from leading voices in venture capital, multi-asset class funds, and public finance about what truly drives investment decisions.
Through a candid discussion, panelists will explore what separates the few projects that secure funding from the many that don’t. Topics will include realistic timing expectations, key dependencies that impact investor confidence, and the distinct priorities of different funding models. The panel will also address the investment gap between venture capital and institutional funding, and the evolving role of public funding in bridging that divide.
This session is designed to give attendees actionable insights into how to structure and position their projects to meet investor expectations and secure the capital needed to advance aviation’s transition to net zero.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority’s Head of Sustainability will discuss the scale of the challenge we face in aviation when it comes to sustainability and the environment. He’ll look at where the UK Civil Aviation Authority is with this work, and how the regulator is pushing forward on issues such as customer information, sustainable fuels like hydrogen, and aviation environmental reporting.
Following the high-level discussion on the challenges shaping sustainable aviation, this panel brings together the industry’s most forward thinking innovators to set out the solutions. Featuring C-suite leaders driving real-world progress, this session will showcase the cutting-edge technologies, strategic collaborations, and bold leadership shaping the path to net zero.
From scaling SAF production and advancing hydrogen feasibility to integrating carbon removals and next-generation propulsion systems, these industry pioneers will share their perspectives on what’s working, what’s next, and what’s needed to accelerate change. With a focus on actionable solutions, this discussion will highlight the breakthroughs redefining aviation’s future and the critical steps required to turn ambition into reality.
As regulations and sustainability commitments drive demand for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), airlines face significant challenges in securing access at scale. This workshop will explore the practical realities of SAF adoption, from regulatory frameworks like EU SAF allowances to the logistical and economic barriers preventing widespread use. With supply constraints, high costs, and uneven distribution, airlines—especially smaller carriers—struggle to compete in the SAF market. Industry experts will break down where SAF is available, why access remains limited, and what strategies airlines can use to bridge the gap. From partnerships with fuel producers to policy advocacy and operational adjustments, this session will provide actionable insights on navigating the evolving SAF landscape.
Despite growing mandates for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), the policies in place often fail to address critical gaps in production, cost, and global implementation. This interactive workshop will focus on what’s missing in current frameworks and explore practical solutions to drive the next generation of SAF adoption. While first-generation SAF (1G) is already in use, the real challenge lies in scaling up second- and third-generation (2G/3G) alternatives. With mandates like the EU’s 30% SAF requirement placing immense pressure on airlines, policy must evolve to incentivize producers rather than simply penalise carriers. This session will examine long term strategies to ensure sustained SAF production beyond the first decade, address the cost risks associated with inconsistent regional policies, and tackle operational challenges such as fuel tankering and compliance across multiple jurisdictions. Through expert-led discussions and scenario planning, participants will collaborate on shaping policies that are both ambitious and achievable, ensuring a smoother transition to a truly sustainable aviation fuel market.
Carbon removals are becoming an essential piece of the decarbonisation puzzle—but their role is still evolving. The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is shifting the narrative, pushing businesses to scale removals alongside deep emissions reductions rather than treating them as a final step. Meanwhile, the UK’s Jet Zero Taskforce is assessing the aviation sector’s demand for greenhouse gas removals and its wider climate impacts, adding further complexity to regulatory and strategic planning. Despite growing recognition, removals remain costly and technically challenging. Within aviation, integrating removals into compliance mechanisms like CORSIA and the EU ETS raises questions about credibility, market acceptability, and practical implementation.
This workshop will provide a hands-on discussion on what high-quality carbon removals look like, how they can complement SAF and address residual emissions, and how businesses can navigate cost risks, policy uncertainty, and evolving mandates. Rather than a last-resort measure, removals need to be embedded within long-term decarbonisation strategies. This session will explore how airlines and airports can do just that—ensuring alignment with science-based targets while managing operational and financial challenges.
