Sustainable Skies World Summit sets the stage for driving decarbonisation
May 8, 2025
With the global aviation industry charting its path toward net zero emissions, this year’s Sustainable Skies World Summit is set to provide a critical networking platform for those paving the way to decarbonise the sector and shape the future of flight.
The two-day event, which will be held at Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre from 14-15 May will bring together stakeholders from across the aerospace, finance, sustainability and government to tackle one of the sector’s biggest challenges: how to decarbonise aviation at scale and, at speed.
From hydrogen-fuelled aircraft, electric propulsion and the scaling up of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), to carbon markets and data transparency, the summit will help showcase real-time progress and the roadblocks of a sector in transformation.
Challenges and opportunities to decarbonising aviation
“The pace of innovation in and around aviation is incredible, and airlines have made significant progress on operational efficiency and advancing new technologies,” said Diana Birkett Rakow, SVP, Public Affairs and Sustainability at Alaska Airlines, speaking ahead of the summit. “But the technologies we need for our industry’s future are still being developed and matured. Forums like Sustainable Skies provide an opportunity to deepen shared understanding of the challenges and opportunities, and to further galvanise action.”
Rakow’s sentiment is echoed across the event with Nichola Bates, Head of Innovation at Boeing adding that as an industry, stakeholders have a responsibility to balance growth with environmental and social responsibility. The summit she said provides a platform for sustainable leadership, “with industry leaders, innovators and changemakers working together to build a more sustainable future in aviation.”
Alongside innovations in technology, financial frameworks are a key focus for ensuring the industry’s net zero goal is met. With compliance becoming increasingly complex, carbon markets are taking centre stage, according to Vertis Environmental Finance’s senior corporate carbon trader, Alexandra Harmatis.
Scaling SAF
Similarly, when it comes to scaling SAF production and supply, affordability remains a key challenge with leaders calling for stronger policy support. “While demand signals like SAF mandates are important, strong policy support is essential to help scale production and close the affordability gap,” stated Olan Ryan, VP SAF, UK & Ireland IAG. “The conversations at Farnborough,” he added, “will be crucial in helping align industry and government action to make SAF a commercial reality.”
Behind the scenes, firms like Estuaire are adding precision to the process, as the company’s CEO & Co-founder, Maxime Meijers, explained “Our goal is to bring clarity to aviation’s global footprint and demonstrate how actionable data can lead to better decisions today.”
As anticipation builds for the summit’s opening next week, one message rings clear: the goal to achieve net zero by 2050 is a shared imperative that requires long-term thinking, strong government policy and cross-industry collaboration.
For more information or to register for the summit, visit sustainableskies.world
