At the moment, much of the discussion surrounding sustainable aviation is centred on Net Zero targets. The specific roadmaps differ from country to country but on the whole, they are predominately set on reducing carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions by 2050.
Many argue that these measures do not go far enough and that the real goal should be focused on True Zero. How the industry plans to reach these targets, through alternative technologies and addressing the non-CO₂ effects, will be introduced in this blog and further discussed at the Sustainable Skies World Summit in May 2024.
What is the difference between Net Zero and True Zero?
Net Zero quite simply is the target of negating the amount of greenhouse gases produced by human activity by reducing emissions and removing carbon dioxide already in the atmosphere. The UK Government has set out strategies to decarbonise all sectors of the UK economy in order to meet Net Zero targets by 2050.
In comparison, True Zero considers both CO₂ and non-CO₂ effects and is what many in the industry believe should be regarded as the true goalpost in sustainable aviation.
What are the Non-CO₂ Effects?
Although carbon dioxide emissions are the most frequently talked about, they only make up a small percentage of the issue. Emissions from aviation specifically also include nitrogen oxides (NOx), water vapour and contrails, particulates, carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbons, and sulphur oxides (SOx). These could potentially have a 2–3 times greater climate change impact than CO₂ alone (Roland Berger).
Non-CO₂ emissions have frequently been overlooked with much of the attention being placed on carbon emissions alone, but as the industry looks beyond Net Zero 2050 targets it must broaden its scope and truly address how we can achieve zero emission flight.
What is Zero Emission Flight?
Flying without producing any emissions is a difficult challenge. Zero emission flight ultimately requires an alternative source of power to conventional jet fuel and the industry is working tirelessly to research and develop new solutions that utilise hydrogen, electric, solar and hybrid technologies all with the hope of delivering truly zero emission flight.
The leading technologies showing potential at the moment are electric and hydrogen. Electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOLs) could offer a zero emission solution but currently only for short distance flights. Learn more about the role of eVTOLs here.
Hydrogen on the other hand, could provide the answer to truly zero emission flight, with many leading aerospace companies paving the way with research and development.
Hydrogen in Focus
Hydrogen has been safely used in the industry for many years and could play a major role in the future of sustainable flying. Firstly, hydrogen can be combusted to create electrical power for battery-powered aircraft such as eVTOLs. Secondly, hydrogen can be used as a fuel itself, replacing the need for conventional jet fuel and sustainable aviation fuel in the long run.
The latter option, whilst boasting the most potential, also creates the biggest challenge. There are numerous engineering challenges to consider with hydrogen technology but by far the most pressing is the fuel density of hydrogen. Simply put, to use hydrogen as a direct fuel you would need much bigger fuel tanks than what is currently used on commercial airliners. This will require a fundamental shift in how aircraft are designed.
To compare this with the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), which currently require no change to the aircraft itself, hydrogen is a huge long-term investment and something not everyone is yet fully behind. With numerous technologies being developed and tested, it has become difficult for investors to know which path to back.
Short-Term vs. Long-Term Investment
To achieve Net Zero targets and ultimately True Zero, there will likely not be a single solution, but instead a combination of changes to technology, fuels and operations. The short-term measures we make will play just as important role and these include maximising the usage of SAF, minimising fuel burn through operation efficiency and carbon removal measures. SAF is one of the leading developments and currently can cut carbon emissions by 65% (source: IATA). Learn more about SAF here.
However, to achieve absolute zero emission flight we must go further. A revolution in either sustainable fuels or technology will have the greatest impact and these long-term measures will likely require a shift in how we view flying and perhaps lead to a big change in aircraft design.
As it stands, many of the short-term measures only concern reducing CO₂ emissions to meet Net Zero targets. To take this further, considering non-CO₂ emissions and reaching True Zero, longer-term strategies and bigger changes will be required.
Going Beyond Flight
To reach True Zero, zero emissions in the skies also need to be reflected on the roads and other forms of transport. To achieve this across the industry, we must go beyond the actual flight and consider operational and airport emissions too. This includes collaborating with other transport industries and analysing the full supply chain. Read more about Operation Efficiency.
Leading Voices
ZeroAvia, ‘Hydrogen-electric is the best option for long-term transition to clean aviation’
Airbus’ ZEROe Project, ‘Airbus’ ambition is to bring to market the world’s first hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft by 2035’
IATA, ‘Liquid hydrogen as a potential low-carbon fuel for aviation’
What to expect at SSWS24
The conference programme at this year’s Sustainable Skies World Summit will feature sessions dedicated to zero emissions, this includes the exploration of non-CO₂ effects and the impact of zero emission aircraft.
Hear from the leading experts about what projects and technologies are worth investing in and how collaboration across the sector is performing. Join the conversation at SSWS24!
The conversation will also continue at this summer’s Farnborough International Airshow, with many of the sessions from SSWS24 feeding directly into the sustainability theme at FIA2024.
As the anticipation builds up towards the upcoming Sustainable Skies World Summit 2024, taking place at the world-renowned Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre on 15-16 May, let’s dive into one of the key event themes – Carbon Removal.
What is Carbon Dioxide or CO2?
Carbon is the fourth most abundant element in the universe and is a primary component of all life on Earth. Carbon Dioxide is a molecule composed of one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms. We breathe air in, exhaling its waste product.
It is a colourless, odourless gas that is slightly denser than air. CO2 is a greenhouse gas, that acts as an insulator due to its non-conductive properties, trapping heat in the atmosphere and contributing to climate change.
It comes from natural sources, like volcanic activities or animal metabolisms. Human activities, like deforestation, industrial activities and burning fossil fuels also contribute to the levels of CO2 found in the atmosphere.
Increased levels of carbon dioxide are being absorbed by the Earth’s oceans, raising their pH levels. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, at the moment the average pH is around 8.1 (alkaline), but as the oceans continue to absorb CO2 they will become more acidic, negatively affecting ocean life.
How much CO2 is there in the atmosphere now?
According to recent data, the levels of carbon dioxide hit 424 ppm (NOAA, 2023), further highlighting the imperative urgency behind the need for carbon removal.
Overall, aviation accounts for 2-3% of global carbon dioxide emissions, with many leading industry players announcing plans to have zero-emission aircraft in the coming years, i.e. Airbus will be using hydrogen fuel cells in their fleet by 2035. The progress is slow, but it can be accelerated.
Carbon Removal Technologies
The market for dioxide removal has expanded significantly in the last decade, with companies worldwide investing in developing solutions to capture and permanently store CO2. According to McKinsey, by 2025, next-generation climate technologies could attract $1.5 trillion to $2 trillion of annual capital investment, creating jobs across various sectors.
Direct Air Capture (DAC) technique is leading the way in the field, where CO2 is extracted directly from the atmosphere and stored either underground or incorporated into existing industrial processes.
Enhanced Weathering is another strategy that focuses on removing CO2 from the atmosphere, storing it in rocks, which are then worn away by the rain, releasing elements like calcium and magnesium. This technique is very effective, capable of removing billions of tons of carbon from the air yearly, however, it takes a lot of time, energy and other resources to make a positive effect on the environment.
Pioneering solutions to carbon removal continue to emerge. Synhelion, a company from Zurich makes jet fuel from carbon monoxide, sunlight and water by pouring CO2 and water into a tower and using concentrated solar heat to break the molecules into hydrogen and carbon monoxide. This ‘syngas’ can then be used to create other fuels, like kerosene, methanol or other hydrocarbons. When combusted, only as much carbon dioxide is released as was originally taken in, making it carbon-neutral.
SSWS24 – Leading Global Collaboration
Global collaboration is key to advancing the industry’s journey to reach Net Zero. Carbon emissions released in one country are directly affecting other countries across the globe. Major industry players are developing collective approaches to foster innovation that lead to more environmentally-friendly technologies.
Experts in the field will explore this topic in more detail at the upcoming Sustainable Skies World Summit 2024, fostering collaborative solutions that will make these technologies more effective and commercially viable.
Governments play a crucial role in driving the industry’s progress towards a more sustainable future. SSWS24 will feature vital insights from policymakers that will accelerate the successful integration of carbon removal technologies into the global supply chain.
Book your pass now to the Sustainable Skies World Summit 2024 as we bring together the industry once again to discuss and implement strategies to put the sector on the path to reaching Net Zero. The conversation and insights gained at SSWS24 will form the foundation for discussions at the Farnborough International Airshow 2024, accelerating the aerospace industry’s progress towards reaching its Net Zero commitments.
This May, the Sustainable Skies World Summit (SSWS) will return to our iconic venue to investigate key themes that will contribute to a more sustainable future for the aviation industry. The rapid growth of technology has created an exciting opportunity to revolutionise air travel by enabling a cleaner and more efficient form of transportation. This blog post will focus on one of the key themes of SSWS24 – Future of Flight and explore how eVTOLs can pave the way for the industry to achieve its Net Zero commitment.
As we look towards a more sustainable future, it is imperative to explore the key innovations within the sector which could transform the future of flight as we know it. The Electric Vertical Take-off and Landing aircraft (eVTOLs) have been gathering momentum in recent years as a catalyst for discovering alternative sustainable ways to fly.
eVTOL and its Impact of Sustainable Aviation
An eVTOL aircraft uses electric-powered rotors or propellers and can smoothly transition from vertical take-off to forward flight. The concept emerged in 2009 when NASA released a video of the Puffin eVTOLs concept,an electric-powered vertical take-off and landing air vehicle, achieving its first flight in 2010, gaining immense attention worldwide. Since then, advancements with electric propulsion have truly taken off with leading industry players like Boeing and Airbus as well as emerging innovators such as Joby Aviation and Volocopter, experimenting in their development as a goal to use this technology to reach the industry’s sustainability targets and provide a more efficient form of transportation.
Sustainability Challenges in Traditional Aviation
Understanding the aviation industry’s carbon footprint is crucial to highlighting the importance of future flight technologies as a means of a more sustainable way to travel. One of the key challenges faced by traditional aviation is its contribution to carbon dioxide emissions — whilst the industry is only responsible for 2-3% of global CO2 emissions, it is vital to reduce this number to reach Net Zero and change people’s perception. Read more about aviation’s impact in our Myth-busting Preconceptions blog here. The industry must collaborate in our efforts to reduce its carbon footprint by investing in new technologies, transitioning to alternative fuels, and adopting sustainable practices.
Investing in new fleets is an effective way to reduce fuel emissions. If airlines use modern aircraft with advanced technologies, it is possible to reduce fuel consumption by 15-20%. Alternatively, innovative solutions like eVTOLs can further reduce emissions, noting that a helicopter burns through 20 gallons of fuel an hour compared to an eVTOL which produces zero emissions (Archer Aviation, 2021).
Are eVTOLs the Answer?
This technology offers numerous benefits, with one of the most significant being their lower impact on the environment. Powered by electric propulsion, they produce zero emissions during flight, which can play a crucial role in reducing the sector’s carbon footprint. Additionally, eVTOLs are almost 1,000 times quieter than of a helicopter, making eVTOLs a great option to reduce noise pollution in urban areas (Archer Aviation, 2021). Furthermore, another advantage of eVTOLs is their versatility. They are designed to be able to take off and land in a variety of locations, including rooftops and small landing pads. This could help alleviate traffic congestion and reduce the amount of greenhouse gases emitted by cars and trucks on the ground.
Collaboration is Key
Collaboration is key to achieving a more sustainable future for aviation and is crucial to creating a supportive regulatory framework that enables the safe and efficient operation of future flight technologies. Working closely with government regulators and industry players to outline certification standards and procedures can ensure that these technologies are hitting the market and that the aviation industry is well-positioned to take advantage of the advances in sustainability, efficiency and safety which eVTOLs provide.
A great example of this was at the Global Urban & Advanced Air Summit Asia, which took place in Singapore, on 27-28 September 2023. The event enabled a forum for discussion, attracting an elite international gathering of innovators, regulators, government and investors.
What’s Next?
Join us for the Sustainable Skies World Summit on the 15-16 May 2024 as we bring together the industry once again to discuss and implement strategies to put the sector on the path to reaching Net Zero. The conversation and insights gained at SSWS24 will form the foundation for discussions at the Farnborough International Airshow 2024, accelerating the aerospace industry’s progress towards reaching its Net Zero commitments.
Farnborough International Airshow
🗓️ Date: 22-26 July 2024
📌 Location: Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre
Having just celebrated 75 years since the first Farnborough Airshow, we have a rich history of bringing together the aerospace, aviation and defence industries to build new connections, pioneer change and engage with thought leaders.
‘The forthcoming edition of the Farnborough International Airshow in 2024 is reporting record-breaking demand for exhibition space, sponsorship packages and marketing activations. The show is set to reach new heights as the preeminent marketplace for an industry on an upwards trajectory.’
Pioneers of Tomorrow
🗓️ Date: 26 July 2024
📌 Location: Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre
With a significant workforce gap emerging across the aerospace industry, our Pioneers of Tomorrow event was created to inspire the future generations and facilitate the link between prospective employers and job-seekers.
Taking place on the last day of the Farnborough International Airshow, Pioneers of Tomorrow is the ideal opportunity for students, graduates, career movers and enthusiasts to gain unprecedented access to the industry.
With STEM activities and networking opportunities for ages, Pioneers of Tomorrow is the perfect place to see your future take off!
Farnborough International Space Show
🗓️ Date: 19-20 March 2025
📌 Location: Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre
The newly launched Farnborough International Space Show will take place 19-20 March 2025 at Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre.
This is the must-attend, annual UK space industry event to pioneer the commercial space age and network with the global space community across industry, defence, government and academia.
Follow us on social media for the latest announcements!
Sustainable Skies World Summit
🗓️ Date: 15-16 May 2024
📌 Location: Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre
Our annual Sustainable Skies World Summit provides a platform for government representatives, regulators, airlines, OEMs, investors, members of academia and media from around the world to share insight, discuss and debate the barriers that face industry on the path to Net Zero.
Our conference programme and technology showcase are framed around 5 key themes, each driving the industry towards Net Zero and beyond.
Organised in collaboration with Sustainable Aviation, the next edition of SSWS is taking place 15-16 May 2024.
Global Urban & Advanced Air Summit
🗓️ Date: 25 July 2024
📌 Location: Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre
Join the industry leaders shaping the future of air travel as the world of urban and advanced air mobility come together to showcase their unique insight and ground-breaking innovations. Whilst future flight is a growing theme throughout many of our aerospace events, this is the only event dedicated to eVTOL and AAM technology.
GUAAS has been in our events portfolio for several years now, but in 2023 we were incredibly excited to launch GUAAS Asia. Following the huge growth in the AAM market in Asia, Farnborough International took GUAAS overseas for the first time, running an incredibly successful launch in Singapore.
The next GUAAS edition will feature at Farnborough International Airshow 2024, with a dedicated conference programme taking place on Thursday 25 July.
The Bahrain International Airshow is organised by the Bahrain Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications and the Royal Bahraini Airforce, in association with Farnborough International.
Known as the Gateway to the Gulf, BIAS2024 presents a unique opportunity for businesses targeting new opportunities in the Middle East and is the perfect platform to explore new connections, as well as high level delegation engagement and conversation.
After celebrating a decade of distinction in 2022, BIAS is looking forward to the next edition of the show taking place at Sakhir Airbase, Bahrain, 13-15 November 2024.
Sustainable Skies World Summit, organised by Farnborough International in collaboration with Sustainable Aviation, is returning to the aerospace industry’s calendar 15-16 May 2024.
Building on the resounding success of the last edition, Sustainable Skies World Summit 2024 will see representation from the global aerospace, energy, manufacturing, finance and investment sectors, alongside regulators, academia and government departments, come together for two days of networking, demonstrations and insight sharing.
Bringing regulators and policy makers together to accelerate global standards from all corners of the world, the programme has been designed to stimulate collaboration and enable industry pioneers to leave with tangible outcomes to reach net zero targets by focusing on five key topics: sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), carbon removal, zero emissions, operation efficiency and future of flight.
The conference and technology showcase will display the latest developments in sustainable aviation technology and provide a forum to discuss how industry is moving in earnest from goal setting to implementation of its net zero strategies.
An opportunity to showcase sustainable activities and discuss implantable strategies, the opening of the 2023 event was marked with a flypast from RAF Voyager ‘Vespina’ powered by a SAF blend, after it conducted an air-to-air refuelling sortie supplying SAF blend to other RAF aircraft, and the Jet Zero Council convened at Farnborough International for its 8th meeting.
Attendees of the two-day show will be able to take advantage of a wealth of unparalleled networking opportunities, including the highly successful Business Connections Exchange and Welcome Reception.
Sustainable Skies World Summit is free to attend, and registration is now live.
“It’s not about flying less, it’s about flying differently.”
The opening of the Sustainable Skies World Summit was marked with a flypast from RAF Voyager ‘Vespina’ powered by a SAF blend after it conducted an air-to-air refuelling sortie supplying SAF blend to other RAF aircraft.
During the summit, the Jet Zero Council convened at Farnborough International for its 8th meeting, following its launch at the Farnborough International Airshow.
Sustainable Aviation launched its updated Net Zero Carbon Road-Map.
Zero emission flights are within grasp, but scale, collaboration and innovation are vital to achieving net zero goals, according to the global industry leaders at this year’s Sustainable Skies World Summit.
The summit, which took place 17-18 April 2023, gathered the aerospace industry alongside the wider aviation ecosystem, including government, technology innovators, academia, investors and regulators to stimulate collaboration, promote the role of the future workforce and demonstrate the technology that is beginning to deliver meaningful progress this decade.
Following the launch of the council at the Farnborough International Airshow in July 2022 and maximising the attendance at the summit, the Jet Zero Council (JZC) convened for its 8th meeting and revealed the UK government’s two-year jet zero plan.
Government representatives, including Secretary of State for Transport, Mark Harper MP, and Minister of State at the Department for Business and Trade, Nusrat Ghani MP, attended the summit, meeting with innovators from across the sector and discussing the legislation and collaboration required to keep the UK at the forefront of the aerospace industry.
To mark the opening of Sustainable Skies World Summit, an RAF Voyager, an Airbus A330-derived Military Passenger and Air-to-Air refuelling aircraft, powered by a SAF blend, provided in collaboration with International Airlines Group (IAG) and BP, conducted an air-to-air refuelling sortie supplying SAF blend to other RAF aircraft. The flight, which used a SAF blend of 43%, performed the pre-scheduled operational refuelling sortie over the North Sea, prior to flying over Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre, where the event was taking place.
Signifying the gravity of the support and collaboration needed, Sustainable Aviation coalition published its updated Net Zero Carbon road-map outlining how commercial aviation will become more sustainable and commercially viable.
Speaking of the impact of the summit across the industry, Gareth Rogers, CEO of Farnborough International, said: “The level of collaboration, insight sharing, and attendance at the event has demonstrated the demand from the global aerospace ecosystem for the concerted progression towards net zero and the need for Sustainable Skies World Summit to be the catalyst for these conversations.
“Farnborough International is at the heart of the aerospace sector, leading the way in providing vital platforms for the industry to convene. We will continue with this critical dialogue at the Global Urban & Advance Air Summit (GUAAS), Singapore, hosted by Farnborough International, 27-28 September 2023.”
Jonathon Counsell, Group Head of Sustainability at International Airlines Group (IAG), added: “The second Sustainable Skies World Summit has completely surpassed all expectations. Attracting a wide range of inspiring speakers, sharing information and experience to help the industry on its journey towards net zero emissions by 2050, the summit has rapidly become a coveted industry event, during which many of the world’s industry leaders come together to support the delivery of truly sustainable flying.”
Wheeltug, ACOG, Alfanar, Rise Coalition, Reaction Engines, Rolls-Royce, ZeroAvia, GKN Aerospace, NeboAir, Zuri, Aerovolt, Carbon Engineering, Skyfly and Cranfield Aerospace Solutions showcased a range of their latest technology and innovation.
Highlighting the significant role of the event in bringing together key players from across the aviation ecosystem, Sustainable Skies World Summit received advocacy from industry supporters and sponsors, such as Airbus, Alfanar, ATI, Embraer, CFM, Catapault, ADS Group, Sustainable Aviation Coalition and Saudi Airlines.
Sustainable Skies World Summit will return to the aerospace calendar on 15-16 May 2024 at Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre.
Farnborough, April 17: Today, at the Sustainable Skies World Summit at Farnborough, the UK aviation industry has announced higher ambition in its transition to net zero carbon emissions by 2050 with the publication of an updated Net Zero Carbon Road-Map, reflecting advances in sustainable aviation technology made here in the UK.
The Road-Map is published by Sustainable Aviation – the industry coalition of the UK’s leading airlines, airports, aerospace manufacturers, air service navigation providers, and innovation companies in sustainable aviation fuel and carbon removals – and is an update to previous plans published in 2020 and 2021. It highlights the vital role and potential for SAF and zero carbon emission technologies such as hydrogen powered aircraft and carbon removal technologies, together with the immediate advances being made in modernising airspace to help UK aviation reach net zero by 2050.
The aviation industry is calling on the Government to work with it by:
Maximising short-term operational efficiencies by accelerating the UK airspace modernisation programme with completion by the end of the decade. This includes reviewing the governance and processes for the programme, looking at how these can be streamlined in order to speed up delivery, and considering whether a different funding model could bring the delivery date forward.
Delivering commercial UK Sustainable Aviation Fuel production at scale this decade, meeting the Government’s commitment to seeing five UK SAF plants under construction by 2025, by providing an industry-funded price stability mechanism alongside a SAF mandate, whilst prioritising access to UK sustainable feedstocks.
Investing in zero carbon emission flight technology by uplifting matched funding levels to the Aerospace Technology Institute programme through to 2031 – to drive efficiency improvements and the development of zero carbon emission technologies, alongside investing in UK hydrogen supply.
Addressing residual aviation carbon emissions by accelerating the rollout of carbon removals, including them in the UK ETS scheme and ensuring aviation’s fair share.
Voyager aircraft powered by 43% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) flies over North Sea.
The aircraft used a blend of traditional fossil fuels and SAF such as cooking oil.
Flight marks the launch of a new aviation Net Zero Carbon roadmap for commercial aviation.
The Royal Air Force has successfully completed a Voyager air-to-air refuelling flight, powered by an approximately 43% blend of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
Flying from RAF Brize Norton, over the North Sea and via Farnborough on its return home, the Voyager aircraft also undertook air-to-air refuelling with Typhoons, as part of planned training.
Made from waste-based sustainable feedstocks, such as used cooking oil, SAF reduces lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to traditional jet fuel and will be key to reducing the RAF’s reliance on global supply chains and fossil fuels, while improving operational resilience.
This significant moment follows a series of recent milestones achieved by the RAF towards a sustainable aviation future, including the world first RAF Voyager flight fuelled by 100% SAF.
RAF Images: Credit: Crown copyright
Defence Minister, Baroness Goldie said:
“Greater use of alternative and sustainable fuel can only lead to positive outcomes for Defence, the United Kingdom, and our collective endeavour against climate change.
“This is not an easy undertaking by the RAF, but time and again we see that by working collaboratively with our partners across industry we can achieve crucial transformation.”
Part of a two-day industry led conference – Sustainable Skies World Summit – the flight marks the UK aviation industry publishing its updated aviation Net Zero Carbon roadmap outlining how commercial aviation will become more sustainable and commercially viable.
The annual event, hosted at Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre, brings together various partners from industry to showcase the latest developments in sustainable aviation technology and support efforts moving towards the implementation phase of meeting its net zero commitment.
Supporting the RAF’s ambitions to be Net Zero by 2040, the Voyager flight was part of an existing task from the Chief of the Air Staff to gather the required data to inform the longer-term transition away from fossil fuels.
The RAF has identified that using SAF and alternative aviation fuels will be critical for the future operational capability of the RAF and wider military aviation.
The UK’s SAF programme is already one of the most comprehensive in the world and supports our vision to set the UK up to be a global leader in the development, production, and use of SAF.
Supporting the Prime Minister’s priority to grow the economy, new aviation technologies and fuels provide huge opportunities for economic growth, delivering jobs and prosperity across the country.
RAF Images: Credit: Crown copyright
Chief of Staff Support and Chief Engineer, Air Vice-Marshal, Paul Lloyd said:
“The continued success of sustainable aviation fuel is reassuring to see. If we are to achieve our net zero goal by 2040 then exploiting these technologies is going to be an enormous but worthwhile endeavour.
“Despite the challenge, the benefits of reducing our reliance on traditional supply chains and fossil fuels outweigh it.
“The RAF is proud to be leading in this area and I welcome the announcement introduction of commercial uses of SAF.”
Providing increased reliability and range, the Voyager aircraft gives the RAF an enhanced capability in support of troop mobility, the movement of military assets, and supports UK air defence.
With a payload of 43 tonnes of freight and 291 seat passenger capacity, plus an aeromedical evacuation capability, Voyager also delivers flexibility in air mobility to the UK Armed forces in support of military and humanitarian operations.
During the two days of the Sustainable Skies World Summit, the Jet Zero Council (JZC) – a partnership between industry and government with the aim of delivering at least 10% SAF in the UK fuel mix by 2030 and zero emission transatlantic flight within a generation – will also meet. The Jet Zero Council is driving the ambitious delivery of new technologies and innovative ways to cut aviation emissions.
The SAF for the flight was sourced by International Airlines Group (IAG), and supplied by bp.
Dates & Timings
Sustainable Skies World Summit returns on 17-18 April 2023 at Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre.
Event times are as follows:
Monday 17 April: 10:30-17:30 (Drinks Reception will take place 17:45-19:15)
Tuesday 19 April: 09:00-16:00
For a full breakdown of the timings for each day, including conference and speaker details, please check out our Agenda Page.
Getting Here
By car: Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre is located just off the A325, accessible from the M3 (J4) and A31. Visitors driving to SSWS should use Gate A to access the site and follow signs to the dedicated parking.
Gate A Address: Postcode: GU14 6XE – Transport Road or What3words:///neon.grows.ranch
By train: If you are coming by Rail, Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre is a short taxi ride away from four stations: Farnborough Main, Farnborough North, North Camp and Aldershot.
There will be a free electric shuttle bus running between Farnborough Main train station and the venue during the following times:
Monday 17th April: 08:00-19:30
Tuesday 18th April: 08:00-17:00
If booking a taxi, we recommend using Rushmoor Taxis: 01252 333 555
By foot: If you are staying locally and/or coming by foot, you can access the venue on foot via Gate B. For local hotel information please visit our venue website.
Free onsite parking is available for all visitors to the event. Entry will be via Gate A and you will be directed to the relevant parking area.
There are electric vehicle charging points available if required but please be aware these are likely to be in high demand. We recommend charging your vehicle prior to arriving on site.
To save time, everybody coming onsite should register and download their badges in advance. If you are inviting colleagues along to the event, please ensure they have registered prior to reaching the site.
Badges will need to be shown at the gate to access the site, and visitors are encouraged to print these at home prior to the event.
Please bring photo ID with you as this may be checked at the gate and be aware that bag checks will be carried out upon entry to the site.
Event Floorplan
Check out the innovative companies showcasing their products and services at this year’s show. Learn more on our Technology Showcase page to discover all the companies involved and where to find them.
Cloakroom
There will be a cloakroom available for visitors, located just inside the main hall. This will be open during the following times:
Monday 17th April: 10:00-19:00
Tuesday 18th April: 09:00-16:00
All property is left at owners risk.
Catering
Food and drink will be available to purchase at our catering station, found next to the Technology Showcase.
Free water refill stations will be available throughout the site.
The SSWS23 Drinks Reception will take place at 17:45 on Monday 17 April, finishing at 19;15.
Social Media
Follow our Sustainable Skies World Summit channels on LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram and join the conversation using our event hashtags: #SSWS #SSWS23 #SustainableSkies.
Leaders from pioneering aerospace and aviation organisations, including Airbus, EasyJet, Rolls-Royce, IATA, FAA, International Airlines Group, ZeroAvia and GKN Aerospace, are included in the Sustainable Skies World Summit speaker programme.
The programme and showcase have been designed to stimulate collaboration and enable industry pioneers to leave with tangible outcomes to reach net zero targets by focusing on five key topics: sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), carbon removal, zero emissions, operational efficiency and future of flight.
Speakers at the summit include:
William Walsh, Director General, International Air Transport Association
Jimmy Samartzis, CEO, LanzaJet
Luis Gallego, CEO, International Airlines Group
Air Vice-Marshal Paul H Lloyd
Val Miftakhov, Founder & CEO, ZeroAvia
Dr Mark Bentall, Head of R&T, Airbus
David Morgan, Chief Operating Officer, easyJet
Kerissa Khan, President Elect 2022-23, Royal Aeronautical Society
Jonathon Counsell, Group Head of Sustainability, International Airlines Group
Dr Marc Stettler, Reader in Transport and the Environment, Imperial College London
Matt Finch, UK Policy Manager, Transport & Environment (T&E)
Paul Hutton, CEO, Cranfield Aerospace Solutions
Adam Durant, CEO, Satavia
Amy Ruddock, VP Europe and Middle East, Carbon Engineering
Lirio Liu, Executive Director of Aircraft Certification, FAA
Marie Owens Thomsen, SVP Sustainability and Chief Economist, IATA
Rodrigo Silva e Souza, VP Marketing, Embraer
Tom Grundy, Chief Executive Officer, Hybrid Air Vehicles
Organisations showcasing their technology at the show will include Wheeltug, ACOG, Alfanar, Rise Coalition, Reaction Engines, Rolls-Royce, ZeroAvia, GKN Aerospace, NeboAir, Zuri, Aerovolt, Carbon Engineering, Skyfly and Cranfield Aerospace Solutions, alongside industry supporters and sponsors, such as BAG, ADS Group, Sustainable Aviation Coalition and Saudi Airlines.
Commenting on the importance of the event, Sustainable Skies World Summit supporter Kevin Craven, CEO, ADS Group, said: “Following a successful Farnborough International Airshow and Aerospace Global Forum in July 2022, it is critical that momentum in progressing important conversations around sustainability in aerospace and aviation is not lost.
“Sustainable Skies World Summit will unite global leaders, identify opportunities for UK businesses in areas such as sustainability and advanced air mobility, and continue industry’s important collaboration with Government.
“As the sector continues its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and trajectory to net zero by 2050, Sustainable Skies World Summit is the perfect opportunity to reinforce our industry’s ambition and showcase leading innovation in newer, greener, and fuel-efficient technologies. ADS is proud to be a partner.”
Taking place 17 and 18 April at Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre, Sustainable Skies World Summit is free to attend.
