Sustainability In The Air

In this episode, we talk to Ali Warrington, Senior Campaigner at Possible, a UK-based climate charity that enables people to take practical action on climate change. 

Possible has been at the forefront of climate action and has been instrumental in lodging formal complaints against airlines like Virgin Atlantic and British Airways for their greenwashing claims. The charity, along with other climate groups has also taken the  UK government to court over its Jet Zero strategy.

Warrington believes that the aviation industry’s current approach to sustainability is dramatically insufficient. She points out the limitations of the current decarbonisation solutions – including sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), hydrogen, and electric aircraft – and expresses scepticism about their scalability and effectiveness. She also expresses concern about the enormity of resources, both natural and monetary, that would be needed to make these solutions a reality. Ultimately, Warrington states, demand reduction is the only pragmatic way to cut aviation’s share of emissions.

Warrington also points out the inequality in air travel in the UK – just 15% of people take 70% of flights annually, with half the population not taking any flights at all. She supports the idea of a frequent flyer levy, to progressively tax individuals on the number of flights they take. She also emphasises the need for a systemic change in global travel infrastructure, and advocates for a shift towards train travel or other low-carbon transportation options, whenever possible. 

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Hiske Arts, Campaigner at Fossil Free Netherlands (Fossielvrij NL), who discusses the climate activists’ scepticism about the aviation industry’s commitment to addressing climate concerns. 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 [email protected]. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Possible - Inspiring climate action

Our formal complaint against airline greenwash - Possible 

Climate groups taking government to court over “dangerous” aviation strategy - Possible 

Net zero aviation fuels: resource requirements and environmental impacts - Royal Society 

Can climate activists and the aviation industry ever get along? - SimpliFlying 

In this episode, we talk to Akshat Rathi, award-winning senior climate reporter for Bloomberg News. Rathi is the host of Bloomberg’s podcast Zero that explores the policies, tactics and clean technologies pushing for a zero emissions future. He is also the author of the book Climate Capitalism, which tracks the unlikely heroes driving the fight against climate change.

Rathi argues that for years the aviation industry has sheltered behind the label of being “hard to decarbonise”, which is not only a misconception, but has also stalled the industry’s progress towards net zero emissions. He advocates for correctly pricing flights to account for their true environmental cost, a move that could bring an end to “ridiculously” cheap flight tickets.

Rathi also discusses the potential of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) in decarbonising aviation and the need to overcome cost barriers through policy support and corporate commitment. Further, he delves into the role of electric aviation in transforming short-haul travel and regional aviation.

In Rathi’s view, the aviation industry stands at a crossroads, and the choices made now will determine not just the future of flying, but our ability to meet global climate targets. As he puts it, “We have to start to think about those technologies, because we do need decarbonised solutions.”

If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversation we had with Dan Rutherford, Senior Director of Research at the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), who shares the latest developments, partnerships, and challenges in reducing aviation emissions and achieving net zero by 2050. 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 [email protected]. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Zero - Bloomberg

The Airline Industry’s Biggest Climate Challenge: A Lack of Clean Fuel - Bloomberg 

‘Magical thinking’: hopes for sustainable jet fuel not realistic, report finds - The Guardian 

How to rethink tourism and aviation for a greener future - SimpliFlying

In this episode, we talk to Jimmy Samartzis, CEO of LanzaJet, who shares the company’s journey in developing the world’s first proven alcohol-to-jet (ATJ) technology that converts ethanol into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel. 

Samartzis discusses LanzaJet’s ambitious target of producing 1 billion gallons of SAF by 2030. Elaborating on LanzaJet’s highly efficient and capital-light ATJ technology, he explains how it can produce up to 90% of fuels as SAF and the remaining 10% as renewable diesel. The process is also adaptable to various feedstocks, including waste materials, allowing LanzaJet to leverage local, sustainable inputs, and cater to the needs and resources of different countries.

Samartzis emphasises the importance of collaborations with airline investors and partners like British Airways and Southwest Airlines in driving the adoption of SAF. He also discusses the environmental benefits of LanzaJet’s technology and SAF, which include the elimination of sulphur, reduction in particulate matter, and potentially lower contrail formation.

If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversation we had with World Energy’s President & CEO Gene Gebolys who delves into the intricacies and future of SAF. 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 [email protected]. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Sustainable Fuels - LanzaJet

Cleaner skies ahead? A glimmer of hope for airline industry’s clean fuel challenge - The Economic Times

LanzaJet unveils world’s first ethanol-to-sustainable jet fuel plant in Georgia - Bloomberg

British Airways, Nova Pangaea, LanzaJet project wins UK funding - Biomass Magazine 

How World Energy is shaping the future of sustainable aviation fuel - SimpliFlying 

In our first-ever bilingual episode, we talk to Preeti Jain, Head of Net Zero Transition Program at the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Jain provides an in-depth look at the challenges and opportunities in scaling up sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to help aviation achieve its goal of net zero emissions by 2050. 

The interview is presented in two parts: English followed by Hindi. 

Jain discusses the current SAF landscape, highlighting the stark mismatch between demand and supply. Emphasising the need for greater SAF production, she estimates that a 1000-fold increase is required by 2050, amounting to roughly 300 new SAF plants each year. This rapid scale-up, however, is hindered by several challenges: inconsistent policy support, high capital costs and under-developed feedstock supply chains.

IATA’s strategy for overcoming these challenges involves a multi-pronged approach focusing on feedstocks, technology development, policy support, and collaboration across stakeholders. Jain emphasises the need for policies that encourage SAF production and adoption, and commends the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act and California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard as good examples. She sees potential in leveraging existing refinery infrastructure for SAF production, and expects SAF’s cost to decline over time as more facilities are deployed and technologies mature.

Jain also discusses the potential for SAF to deliver benefits beyond emissions reductions, such as improved energy security and rural economic development, particularly in emerging economies with large agricultural sectors. She also emphasises the critical role of collaboration across the aviation industry, governments, and civil society to build a thriving SAF ecosystem.

If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversation we had with IATA’s SVP Sustainability & Chief Economist Marie Owens Thomsen. 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 [email protected]. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Our Commitment to Fly Net Zero by 2050 - IATA 

SAF Offtake Agreements - ICAO  

SAF Deployment - IATA  

Net Zero Roadmaps - IATA 

Domestic air passenger traffic likely touched 15.4 crore in 2023-24: Report - The Economic Times

How IATA envisions merging economics and sustainability in aviation - SimpliFlying 

In this episode, we welcome back Dan Rutherford, Senior Director of Research at the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), for his second appearance on the show. Rutherford shares his insights on the latest developments, partnerships, and challenges in reducing aviation emissions and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Rutherford discusses ICCT's expanded collaborations with industry partners, governments, and non-governmental organisations to apply their research directly to various projects and initiatives aimed at reducing aviation emissions. He highlights their work with Google on the Travel Impact Model (TIM), which aims to provide consumers with accurate, precise, and transparent emissions estimates when booking flights.

The conversation delves into the challenges of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, with Rutherford providing sobering projections and emphasises the critical role of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) in bridging the gap, given the long lifespan of aircraft and the slow development of alternative technologies like hydrogen.

The discussion also touches on the concept of a frequent flyer levy as a potential progressive taxation method to fund the transition to net-zero emissions. Rutherford emphasises the importance of consumer awareness and action in driving change within the aviation industry. The conversation concludes with Rutherford highlighting the role of multi-stakeholder initiatives and partnerships between organisations like ICCT and airlines, manufacturers, and other industry players in driving the transition to a cleaner, more sustainable future for aviation.

If you LOVED this episode you’ll enjoy revisiting one of our earliest episodes – also with Dan – who sets the stage for understanding the future of sustainable aviation and the trajectory airlines and governments need to follow to get to net-zero emissions. 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 [email protected]. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

About - International Council on Clean Transportation 

Vision 2050: A strategy to decarbonize the global transport sector by mid-century - ICCT 

The ICCT and Google establish new partnership on lower carbon travel search - ICCT

Travel Impact Model API - Google for Developers 

Aviation climate finance using a global frequent flying levy - ICCT

Dan Rutherford on net-zero roadmaps and transitioning to sustainable technologies - SimpliFlying 

In this episode, we talk to Diana Birkett Rakow, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs & Sustainability at Alaska Airlines, who shares the airline’s ambitious goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2040.

To reach the 2040 goal, Alaska Airlines has developed a comprehensive five-part path. The plan includes focusing on operational efficiency, fleet modernisation, sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), new propulsion technologies, and the use of carbon credits as a last resort.

Rakow discusses the importance of employee and customer engagement in advancing the airline’s sustainability goals. She shares the airline’s unique bonus program that ties 10% of every employee’s annual bonus to achieving carbon intensity targets. Rakow also discusses the airline’s efforts to engage customers in sustainability initiatives by enabling the purchase of nature-based offsets and SAF credits, and offering loyalty rewards.

Rakow emphasises the significance of collaborations with companies like Microsoft and Twelve in developing and utilising SAF. She also delves into the airline’s investments in future technologies, such as their partnership with ZeroAvia to develop hydrogen-electric powertrains for regional aircraft, and the role of the airline’s venture investment arm, Alaska Star Ventures, in identifying and supporting innovations that accelerate the path to net zero emissions.

Please note: Alaska Airlines established its headquarters in Seattle in the early 1960s. The decade was misstated in the episode. 

If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversation we had with Delta Air Lines’ Chief Sustainability Officer Amelia DeLuca, who shares the airline’s collaborative vision for sustainability. 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 [email protected]. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

ESG Environmental Social Governance - Alaska Airlines

Flying with purpose: Alaska sets new climate goals, including net-zero carbon emissions by 2040 - Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines, Twelve & Microsoft collaborate to use Sustainable Aviation Fuel produced from captured CO2 - ESG Today

Alaska Airlines, ZeroAvia to develop world’s largest zero-emission aircraft - Flight Global

Delta’s sustainability push is powered by a surprising customer insight 

In this episode, we talk to Daniel Rosen Jacobson, co-founder, co-CEO and Chief Business Officer of Elysian Aircraft, a startup that is developing a clean-sheet 90-seater battery electric aircraft.

Jacobson discusses Elysian’s unique approach to electric aviation, which focuses on a larger aircraft capable of carrying passengers over distances of about 800 km – longer than most current electric aircraft concepts. By targeting the busy short-haul market with a plane that can operate at costs competitive with conventional jets, Elysian aims to make a significant impact on the sustainability of regional air travel.

Jacobson also delves into the technical aspects of Elysian’s E9x aircraft design, which features a large wing with integrated batteries, and folding wingtips for airport compatibility. He also touches upon the challenges of certifying such a novel aircraft and the importance of collaborating with regulators and industry partners.

If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversation we had with Heart Aerospace’s CEO Anders Forslund, who discusses how regional electric air travel can transform the industry while addressing the key sustainability challenges. 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 [email protected]. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Elysian Aircraft

Start-up Elysian reveals first 90 passenger battery-electric aircraft - Airport Technology 

Elysian unveils advisory board drawn from across the ‘aviation ecosystem’ - Flight Global

Electric aircraft may have more potential than we thought - Bloomberg 

Why Heart Aerospace’s electric aircraft is a gamechanger - SimpliFlying 

In this episode, we talk to three key members of Harbour Air, North America’s largest seaplane airline. Harbour Air’s CEO Bert Van Der Stege, Engineering and Quality Manager Erika Holtz, and Head of Digital and Customer Experience Suzanne Bremski discuss the airline’s vision for the future of electric aviation.

Harbour Air has a strong track record of prioritising sustainability, being the first airline to introduce carbon offsetting in 2007. The airline was also the first to operate an electric plane in 2019 with its e-plane initiative, and has committed to build the world’s first all-electric commercial fleet. Harbour Air’s unique operating conditions, including short flight times and low altitudes, make it well-suited for the transition to an all-electric airline.

The conversation also delves into Harbour Air’s shift from carbon offsetting to insetting, which involves taking actions or making investments within the airline’s operations, production or value chain for long-term, sustainable mitigation or avoidance of emissions. The interviewees also discuss the positive customer response to Harbour Air’s electric aviation initiatives, the current state of battery technology, and the importance of collaborations and partnerships in advancing sustainable aviation.

If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversation we had with Harbour Air’s former CEO, Greg McDougall, who discusses the airline’s strong resolve to be an early adopter of disruptive technologies. 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 [email protected]. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Harbour Air 

Moving past carbon neutral - Harbour Air

Carbon insetting vs offsetting - World Economic Forum 

Harbour Air Delays “eBeaver” Service Entry - Airways 

How Harbour Air is revolutionising aviation with their electric aircraft technology - SimpliFlying 

In this episode, we talk to Finlay Asher, co-founder of Safe Landing, a global community of aviation workers who are working within the sector to reduce the climate impact of aviation. 

Asher emphasises the need for a holistic approach to sustainable aviation, which goes beyond efficiency improvements and includes demand reduction measures. He touches upon the challenges of balancing growth and sustainability in the aviation industry, highlighting the need for government intervention and the enforcement of carbon budgets to ensure a managed transition. 

The potential and limitations of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs) are also discussed, with Asher calling for evidence-based analysis and prioritisation of decarbonisation efforts. He stresses the importance of equity and fairness in aviation decarbonisation, advocating for a progressive allocation of carbon-constrained growth and the need for developed nations to lead the way in emissions reductions.

If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversation we had with Hiske Arts, Campaigner at Fossielvrij NL, who discusses the climate activists’ scepticism about the aviation industry’s commitment to addressing climate concerns. 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 [email protected]. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

https://safe-landing.org/

https://green.simpliflying.com/p/dan-rutherford-icct 

https://safe-landing.org/saf-position/ 

https://green.simpliflying.com/p/hiske-arts-campaigner-fossil-free-nl