Sustainability In The Air

• Why Zaffra is betting big on sustainable aviation fuel production

  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 [email protected]. 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 This episode is brought to you by 4AIR. 4AIR is leading the way with the industry’s first framework to address aviation’s climate impact—offering clear, verifiable pathways to reduce and counteract aircraft emissions. For more information, please visit: https://www.4air.aero/

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• Why Cathay believes in a “greener together” approach to sustainability

  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 [email protected]. 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 andThis episode is brought to you by 4AIR. 4AIR is leading the way with the industry’s first framework to address aviation’s climate impact—offering clear, verifiable pathways to reduce and counteract aircraft emissions. For more information, please visit: https://www.4air.aero/

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• Why Mission Possible Partnership believes cross-sector collaboration can accelerate aviation’s path to net-zero

  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 [email protected]. 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 This episode is brought to you by 4AIR. 4AIR is leading the way with the industry’s first framework to address aviation’s climate impact—offering clear, verifiable pathways to reduce and counteract aircraft emissions. For more information, please visit: https://www.4air.aero/

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• Why ClimateWorks Foundation believes strategic philanthropy is essential for the net zero transition

  In this episode, we speak with Anna Stratton, Associate Director, Aviation at ClimateWorks Foundation, a global platform for philanthropy that has granted over $2 billion to climate solutions across 50 countries. Stratton shares insights into how philanthropic funding can drive aviation’s transition to net zero while ensuring emerging markets aren’t left behind. She discusses:The crucial role of philanthropy in advancing sustainable aviation solutions through research, analysis, and policy developmentWhy Europe’s ReFuelEU policy sets a strong standard for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) mandate with its long-term outlook to 2050, specific e-fuel requirements, and robust sustainability safeguardsThe potential of hydrogen for short and medium-haul flights, and the innovative approach of collaborating with shipping sector for infrastructure solutionsWhy contrail mitigation represents an exciting near-term opportunity for emissions reduction, and the importance of monitoring and verificationThe need to reimagine aviation growth, particularly focusing on high-flying groups like corporate travelersStratton emphasises that while industry focuses heavily on SAF, a comprehensive vision for net-zero aviation must include multiple solutions. She also outlines how philanthropy can strategically support civil society in driving aviation’s sustainable transformation, highlighting the need for both technological innovation and behavioural change.Please note: This interview was recorded in September 2024. ClimateWorks has since updated its 2024 transportation grants, with $5.5M allocated to aviation, $72.3M to road transportation, and $13.3M to maritime shipping, bringing the total to $91.1M. The updated data is available on their website.If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with  Sally Davey, CEO of Travalyst, who shares insights about transforming the travel industry through collaborative data initiatives. 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:ClimateWorks FoundationTransportation - ClimateWorks FoundationLess is more: How reducing demand for unnecesThis episode is brought to you by 4AIR. 4AIR is leading the way with the industry’s first framework to address aviation’s climate impact—offering clear, verifiable pathways to reduce and counteract aircraft emissions. For more information, please visit: https://www.4air.aero/

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• How Heathrow’s SAF incentive aims to tackle critical barriers to adoption

  In this episode, we speak with Matthew Gorman, Director of Carbon Strategy and Sustainability at Heathrow Airport. With 16 years at the helm of Heathrow's sustainability initiatives, Gorman shares how one of the world’s busiest airports is tackling aviation’s climate impact while maintaining its crucial role in global connectivity.Gorman discusses:Heathrow’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) incentive scheme, which creates a funding pool through landing charges to help airlines bridge the cost gap of SAF adoption. Starting at 0.5% in 2022, the target will reach 3% by next year, with approximately 20 airlines participating.The breakdown of Heathrow’s carbon footprint, highlighting that nearly 95% comes from aircraft operations, around 5% from ground activities such as surface access and the supply chain, and just 0.1% from direct operations (Scope 1).The future of hydrogen aviation, with expectations of first hydrogen-powered services in the early 2030s starting with turboprops, and how Heathrow is preparing infrastructure through research partnerships and dedicated testing facilities.Their innovative approach to NOx emissions reduction, targeting 18% reduction in airside operations and 60% in non-aircraft operations by 2030, driven by Heathrow’s proximity to London.Throughout the conversation, Gorman emphasises the critical balance between maintaining aviation’s connectivity benefits while achieving net zero, and how airports can lead the sector’s sustainability transition through influence and advocacy despite controlling only a small fraction of total emissions.If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Christina Cassotis, CEO of Pittsburgh International Airport, who shares her ambitious vision for transforming the airport into a sustainable aviation hub. 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:Heathrow 2.0 Sustainability StrategyHeathrow Airport targets 3% SAF use in 2025 - Biodiesel Magazine Heathrow launches ‘Nature Positive Plan’ to tackle biodiversity loss - edie Four of UK's biggest airports pledge to ‘Back British SAF’ - Aerospace Global NewsThis episode is brought to you by 4AIR. 4AIR is leading the way with the industry’s first framework to address aviation’s climate impact—offering clear, verifiable pathways to reduce and counteract aircraft emissions. For more information, please visit: https://www.4air.aero/

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