Aerospace Ambition Podcast

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In this Episode #2, we delve deep into the quest for achieving true net-zero climate impact in the aviation sector, with a special spotlight on Contrail Management and Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF). Our esteemed guest, Nikhil Sachdeva, a Principal at Roland Berger's office in London, shares his expertise on the transition to eco-friendly aviation technologies. Nikhil, with his impressive background in Aerospace Engineering from Imperial College and an MBA from Harvard Business School, is a treasure trove of knowledge and insights.

We cover a wide range of topics, including:

• The concept of "circular SAF" and common misconceptions about SAF.

• A look at Nikhil's study, “Aviation's Roadmap to True Zero” presented at COP27 and his latest findings presented at COP28 on Circular SAFs.

• The intricacies of lifecycle assessments in comparing different pathways to sustainable aviation and the level of certainty these assessments bring.

• The role of contrail management in reducing aviation's climate impact and the scientific consensus on its operational implementation.

• A critical discussion on the scalability and regulatory approaches for contrail management, along with the exploration of incentives for addressing all climate effects of aviation, including non-CO2 effects.

• Nikhil's projections for the future of contrail management by 2030 and the risks airlines might face for not implementing solutions like contrail management.

Join us as Nikhil Sachdeva, with his unique blend of technical prowess and strategic insight, navigates us through the complex landscape of sustainable aviation. Get ready for an episode packed with in-depth discussions, thought-provoking insights, and visionary perspectives on the future of our skies.

Resources

0. “One percent of the world’s population accounts for more than half of flying emissions”, https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/article/one-percent-worlds-population-accounts-more-half-flying-emissions

1. “Circular SAF: Waste-to-SAF as a critical bridge to a sustainable future for aviation”, Kyle Datta and Nikhil Sachdeva, Roland Berger: https://www.rolandberger.com/en/Insights/Publications/Waste-to-SAF-A-critical-bridge-to-a-sustainable-future-for-aviation.html

2. “A sustainable approach to eliminate all climate effects of air travel”, Nikhil Sachdeva, Roland Berger: https://www.rolandberger.com/en/Insights/Publications/Aviation-s-Roadmap-to-True-Zero.html

3. Teoh, R., Engberg, Z., Schumann, U., Voigt, C., Shapiro, M., Rohs, S., and Stettler, M.: Global aviation contrail climate effects from 2019 to 2021, EGUsphere [preprint], https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-1859, 2023.

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Tune in to an exhilarating episode of our podcast where we delve into the heart of climate action in the aviation sector with Finlay Asher, a Scottish mechanical engineer turned climate activist and founded Safe Landing NGO. Finlay’s journey from designing future engine concepts at Rolls-Royce to becoming a vocal advocate for the environment is nothing short of inspiring.

In this episode, we ask the hard-hitting questions:

• How can we proactively prevent a climate crash and safeguard the future of aviation workers?

• What fuels Finlay’s daily drive to fight for environmental justice?

• Discover how first principle thinking led to innovative demand management strategies in aviation.

• Explore the intricacies of a carbon budget and its relevance to the Paris Agreement.

• Uncover the role of the '300' or 'David against Goliath' in Finlay’s life.

• Envision a fair future where aeroplanes still grace our skies. Is it possible?

• Dive into the debate on contrail management: is it the next step in sustainable aviation?

• What are the factors determining whether carbon credits can work in the implementation of contrail avoidance?

Finlay, with his unique blend of technical expertise and passion for sustainability, breaks down complex climate issues, making them accessible to all. Get ready to be inspired, informed, and maybe even a little challenged.

Don't miss out on this enlightening conversation!

Resources

1. UNEP Emissions Gap Report 2023: Climate crisis, emissions trends. https://wedocs.unep.org/handle/20.500.11822/43922

2. Stay Grounded Greenwashing Fact Sheet: Aviation industry, greenwashing tactics. https://stay-grounded.org/greenwashing/

3. Global Carbon Project, Briefing on key messages Global Carbon Budget 2023. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gDztPwVlt_pvrH6vffPWqoHhqhM_mAJI/view?usp=drivesdk

4. Stay Grounded Offsets Factsheet: Carbon offsets, environmental impact. https://stay-grounded.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/factsheet-offsets.pdf

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Welcome to the Aerospace Ambition Podcast with your host, Marius. In this teaser, I introduce my journey into the world of aviation, climate science, and AI. Marius, an aerospace engineer passionate about sustainability, invites you to explore the pivotal advancements in sustainable aviation.

Expect insightful discussions on aviation climate science, alternative fuels, policy, and technological developments. I'll feature interviews with scientists, industry leaders, and regulatory figures.

Join me for informative and inspiring conversations, and don't forget to follow on Spotify, Apple, or YouTube. Subscribe to our newsletter for updates and share your thoughts with us through our website. Get ready for a series of engaging episodes that delve into the future of aerospace and sustainability.