Sustainability In The Air – Details, episodes & analysis

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Sustainability In The Air

SimpliFlying

Leisure

Society & Culture

Business

Frequency: 1 episode/9d. Total Eps: 175

Aviation has many paths to net zero, and few are straightforward. Sustainability in the Air cuts through the noise with clear, expert-led conversations on what’s actually advancing a more sustainable future for flight in one of the hardest sectors to decarbonise.

💚 Twice a month, SimpliFlying CEO Shashank Nigam speaks with airline, airport, travel, and energy leaders to unpack the decisions shaping aviation’s climate future.
💚 Each month, our Head of Sustainability Dirk Singer adds a Signal episode spotlighting the tech founders building aviation’s next wave of climate innovation.

Whether you work in aviation, advise it, or simply care about the future of travel, this podcast is for you.

For enquiries: podcast@simpliflying.com
For more content on sustainable aviation, visit simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

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http://green.simpliflying.com/
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https://simpliflying.com/sita/
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https://simpliflying.com/sita-vol-two/
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https://uk.linkedin.com/in/sian-andrews-36724336
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https://uk.linkedin.com/in/sallydavey
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https://is.linkedin.com/in/audurnanna
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Score global : 58%

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How Microsoft built the corporate playbook for scope 3 decarbonisation

Episode 147

Thursday, November 13, 2025 • Duration 40:49

In this episode, we speak with Julia Fidler, former Director of Market Development for Energy, Connectivity, and Sustainability at Microsoft, who shares how the company built partnerships that are reshaping corporate approaches to scope 3 emissions.

Fidler discusses:

How Microsoft’s early carbon fee on scope 1, 2, and 3.6 emissions created the foundation for treating business travel not just as a measurable category, but as a gateway to solving fuel emissions.
How Microsoft’s Sustainability Grant Program supported early exploration of emerging SAF markets through seed funding for consulting guidance and partnerships, creating a model for corporate innovation in hard-to-abate sectors.
Why Microsoft chose to support the most expensive SAF pathway (e-fuels/power-to-liquids) and how the concept of “green premium” enabled a three-way collaboration between Microsoft, Alaska Airlines, and Twelve.
How the partnership with IAG and the Chooose removed barriers for hundreds of Microsoft suppliers to purchase SAF for the first time.
Why Microsoft’s approach balanced carbon removal procurement with SAF investment alongside demand management, treating these not as competing priorities but as complementary strategies.

Fiddler also shares her journey from corporate travel management to leading industry-defining collaborations with airlines and SAF producers, and discusses how she’ll now be scaling these lessons globally through her new role at the RSB.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Etosha Cave, Co-founder & Chief Science Officer of Twelve, who shares how the carbon transformation company harnesses CO2 from industrial waste streams to produce e-fuels. 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: Volume 2’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Microsoft Sustainability

Alaska Airlines teams with Microsoft to aid development of Twelve’s E-Jet power-to-liquid fuel - GreenAir News

How Microsoft is using an internal carbon fee to reach its carbon negative goal - Microsoft Industry Blogs

Microsoft signs sustainable aviation fuel purchase deal with IAG to tackle Scope 3 emissions - ESG Today

Why Twelve believes power-to-liquids will revolutionise sustainable aviation fuel production - SimpliFlying

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How the oneworld BEV Fund is accelerating next generation SAF technologies

Episode 146

Thursday, October 30, 2025 • Duration 46:11

In this episode, we speak with Matthew Ridley, Director of Sustainability and Innovation at the oneworld Alliance, who shares the story behind the groundbreaking $150 million Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) fund launched in partnership with the alliance’s member airlines and Breakthrough Energy Ventures (BEV).

Ridley discusses:

The alliance investment advantage: How pooling resources across oneworld members creates access to world-class venture capital expertise, superior deal flow, more diverse portfolios, and geographical networks.
Breakthrough Energy’s unprecedented value: Why partnering with BEV provides access to talent airlines struggle to attract, plus synergies with investments in nuclear fusion, energy transmission, and geologic hydrogen.
Next-generation focus vs. current needs: How the oneworld BEV fund targets technologies that can take aviation beyond 5-10% SAF adoption to truly change the trajectory of decarbonisation, complementing existing investments.
Breaking the alliance mould: How oneworld moved beyond traditional codeshares and interlining to tackle “initiatives of scale”, and how they attracted Singapore Airlines to join despite not being a oneworld member.
Reframing aviation’s challenge: Why the problem isn’t aviation itself, but rather the emissions from jet fuel, the only aspect of flight that hasn’t changed since the Kitty Hawk.

Ridley also shares insights from his seven years building IAG’s Hangar 51, where he led first-mover investments in ZeroAvia and LanzaJet, and explains why SAF isn’t a transition fuel but rather a permanent solution once emissions are addressed.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Pasha Saleh, Head of Corporate Development at Alaska Airlines, who shares how the airline is investing in sustainable aviation technologies to achieve its ambitious climate goals. 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: Volume 2’. .

Why Twelve believes power-to-liquids will revolutionise sustainable aviation fuel production

Episode 137

Thursday, July 24, 2025 • Duration 33:42

In this episode, we speak with Etosha Cave, Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer of Twelve, who shares how the carbon transformation company harnesses carbon dioxide from industrial waste streams to produce efuels.

Twelve is one of the visionary companies featured in our new book Sustainability in the Air: Volume Two. You can learn more about the book and order a copy here.

Cave discusses:

Twelve’s carbon transformation technology that mimics photosynthesis, taking CO2 from industrial emissions, air, and landfills, combining it with water and renewable electricity through metal catalysts to create jet fuel and other products.
Strategic partnerships with airlines like Alaska Airlines and International Airlines Group (IAG) and tech companies like Microsoft, leveraging growing consumer demand for carbon-neutral travel solutions and the scalability advantages of power-to-liquids.
Twelve’s Moses Lake, Washington plant location choice, capitalising on abundant hydropower, state incentives, geographic proximity to partners, and the emerging cleantech hub.
How the company navigates political risks around climate incentives by focusing on carbon management as a bipartisan issue that creates jobs and economic value.

Cave also shares her vision for a future with completely closed carbon cycles and explains how Twelve aims to transform waste CO2 into the building blocks for everything from consumer products to aviation fuel.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Nicholas Flanders, Co-Founder & CEO of Twelve, who discusses the crucial role of clean technology in addressing environmental challenges. .

How Eve Air Mobility’s eVTOLs are re-imagining the passenger experience of the future

Episode 52

Thursday, September 21, 2023 • Duration 50:29

In this episode, we talk to André Stein, Chief Strategy Officer at Eve Air Mobility, a subsidiary of the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer.

Stein talks about the transformative potential of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in urban mobility. He explains how Eve is emphasising the passenger experience, striving to cater to a wide demographic, including the elderly, visually impaired, wheelchair users, and addressing concerns like motion sickness.

We’ll also learn about how Eve leverages the capabilities of its parent company, Embraer, benefitting from its established aviation experience and infrastructure. Furthermore, Stein stresses Eve’s dedication to sustainability – extending from aircraft design to operations, engaging with energy providers for green solutions and collaborating with global entities to achieve broader sustainability targets.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversations we had with two other stalwarts in the eVTOL space – Adam Goldstein, CEO and Founder at Archer Aviation and Bonny Simi, Head of Air Operations and People and Joby Aviation. Learn more about their visions for the future of urban air mobility here and 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 . For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website and join the movement. It’s about time.

How Direct Air Capture technology could ensure long-term SAF supply

Episode 51

Thursday, September 14, 2023 • Duration 41:02

In this episode, we talk to Amy Ruddock, VP Europe and Middle East at Carbon Engineering.

Based in British Columbia, Canada, Carbon Engineering aims to combat climate change by globally implementing Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology at a megaton-scale. Unlike traditional methods, DAC directly extracts CO2, the key greenhouse gas behind climate change, from the atmosphere, addressing both current unavoidable emissions and past CO2 emissions still present in the atmosphere.

The discussion centers on carbon emissions, capture, and aviation’s role in climate change. Ruddock calls for carbon balance, and discusses the Carbon Engineering and Occidental Petroleum partnership, emphasising strategic alliances and Occidental’s commitment to carbon management. We also learn about carbon capture credits, synthetic aviation fuels, cost reduction, direct air capture hubs, Ruddock’s career and passion for decarbonising aviation, Heathrow expansion, Virgin Atlantic's 100% SAF flight, and Carbon Engineering's global expansion plans.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Gregory Constantine, Co-Founder and CEO of Air Company whose proprietary AIRMADE™ technology that replicates photosynthesis, is converting carbon dioxide into pure alcohols. Initially introducing a carbon-negative vodka, Air Vodka, the company also produces sanitiser and perfume. Crucially, they’ve developed a one-step, 100% drop-in sustainable aviation fuel directly from CO2. Check it out here.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

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How we created the most successful podcast on sustainable aviation: Behind the scenes

Episode 50

Thursday, September 7, 2023 • Duration 49:11

In the special 50th episode, SimpliFlying CEO and host of the podcast, Shashank Nigam, reflects on the podcast's evolution from its inception on Earth Day 2022. He is joined by the SimpliFlying team members as they record the episode on a boat in London during their annual retreat.

Shashank begins by highlighting the critical contributions of each member of the SimpliFlying team in the areas of research, writing, production management, design, marketing and distribution. Tracing the podcast's journey, Shashank notes the transition from his initial short YouTube video content to in-depth podcasts, driven by his – and the company’s – increasing interest and curiosity in sustainable aviation.

Apart from discussing unique features like innovative visual branding and insightful articles that replace traditional transcripts, the team also recalls some of their favourite and most insightful episodes. Red Sea Global’s episode on its regenerative tourism site receives a special mention as it aims to be the largest tourism destination in the world that is powered 100% by renewable energy 24 hours a day. Other noteworthy episodes include interviews with AIR COMPANY, which transforms carbon dioxide into sustainable aviation fuel, and Archer, an electric air taxi firm. The episode on SATAVIA’s contrail reduction technology is mentioned, with Shashank noting its relevance from an earlier conversation with Etihad Airways.

Overall, the team remains optimistic about sustainable aviation’s future, foreseeing innovations in hydrogen fuel and other green technologies. Concluding with light-hearted bloopers and future aspirations, the episode emphasises the podcast’s commitment to advancing discussions on sustainable aviation.

Why transparency trumps accuracy while calculating carbon emissions

Episode 49

Thursday, August 31, 2023 • Duration 53:44

In this episode, we talk to Tom Kershaw, Chief Product & Technology Officer at Travelport, about how technology coupled with a transparent, collaborative approach can lead to a sustainable future.

Travelport is a travel technology company with transparency at its core. It provides “a single, independent marketplace for buyers and sellers of travel” that helps travellers make informed travel decisions while enabling travel businesses such as airlines and hotels to personalise their content and offers.

Kershaw asserts that sustainability is a technical problem that requires integration and collaboration across various departments, including revenue, marketing, and technology. He emphasises that sustainability should be a part of the culture in every organisation, not a segregated department.

You’ll also learn about the importance of having standard and transparent calculations for carbon emissions, rather than aiming for absolute accuracy. Kershaw stresses the need for consumers to understand the relative impact of their choices and make informed decisions. Most importantly, the episode explains why the intersection of government policy, corporate responsibility, and technological innovation is crucial for the path ahead.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Red Sea Global’s CEO John Pagano who shares how the developer is rethinking eco-tourism that will allow you to travel not just net-zero, but true climate positive. Check it out here.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

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SATAVIA wants to solve a majorly ignored aspect of aviation’s climate impact

Episode 48

Thursday, August 24, 2023 • Duration 57:04

SATAVIA wants to solve a majorly ignored aspect of aviation’s climate impact

In this episode, we talk to Adam Durant, Founder & CEO of SATAVIA, about the groundbreaking work being done in the field of contrail reduction and its implications on the environment.

Contrails are the long, thin clouds that often form behind an airplane in cold and humid conditions when water vapor freezes around small dust and soot particles from the engine. Although they look harmless, contrails are made up of small ice crystals that trap heat in the earth’s atmosphere and contribute to global warming – one study suggests contrails are responsible for as much as 57% of aviation’s warming impact.

Durant talks about how addressing contrail formation is an important sustainability problem that can be tackled effectively with current technology and resources. He says that only “persistent” contrails, formed by about 5% of flights, are at fault. Moreover, he emphasises that not all contrails are harmful; some even have a cooling effect. He suggests a strategic approach, avoiding contrails that cause warming while possibly utilising those that have a cooling effect.

Overall, while delving into the fascinating science of contrails and the technical details of how SATAVIA’s software helps airlines such as Etihad and KLM avoid contrail formation, Durant stresses the importance of looking beyond carbon emissions to fully grasp and manage the aviation sector's impact on climate change.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with ex-Etihad CEO Tony Dougas who shared how Etihad is paving the way for the entire industry to move a step closer to net-zero. Check it out here.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

How JetBlue plans to get to net zero by 2040 without stifling growth

Episode 47

Thursday, August 17, 2023 • Duration 53:36

In this episode, we talk to Sara Bogdan, Head of Sustainability and ESG at JetBlue Airways, one of the two airlines in the world planning to achieve net zero emissions by 2040 – a full decade ahead of the industry's target.

Bogdan talks about sustainability in the aviation industry, with a particular focus on JetBlue's pioneering efforts. Beginning with a broad overview of global environmental challenges, she highlights various initiatives to enhance fuel efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and employ sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs).

We also learn about the airline's collaborative approach with suppliers, government agencies, and stakeholders. The complexity of balancing business growth with environmental impact is explored, with an emphasis on the necessity for transparency, innovation, and accountability.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with JetBlue Ventures President Amy Burr who shared how JetBlue’s technology investments are aiding the aviation sector to make progressive moves towards sustainability. Check it out here.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

JetBlue Announces Science-based Emissions Reduction Target and Strategy to Achieve Net Zero by 2040 - JetBlue

United, JetBlue further investments in sustainability - PhocusWire

The airline aiming for net zero 22 years before the industry target

Episode 46

Thursday, August 10, 2023 • Duration 42:52

The airline aiming for net zero 22 years before the industry target

In this episode, we talk to Maarten Koopmans, Managing Director of KLM Cityhopper about KLM’s bold gambit in utilising regional aviation as a testbed for its overall sustainability strategy.

KLM Cityhopper, the regional subsidiary of the Dutch airline KLM, has an ambitious and focused vision for reaching net zero this decade itself. While discussing the sustainability challenges in the aviation industry, Koopmans also acknowledges the significant role of climate activists and changing consumer behaviours.

Koopmans emphasises the importance of people, particularly the young generation, in driving change and encourages them to join companies like KLM. Most importantly, Koopmans stresses the necessity of narrowing one’s focus in order to achieve tangible results. So how exactly does KLM Cityhopper intend to get to net zero by 2028? Listen to our episode and find out.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with SkyTeam Alliance’s CEO Patrick Roux who outlines the alliance’s role in enabling airlines’ net zero journey. Check it out here.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

KLM Group’s CO2 emission reduction targets for 2030 approved by SBTi - KLM

KLM completes inaugural Sustainable Flight Challenge using GE Jet Engines - The GE Aerospace Blog.

Sustainability In The Air – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

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Sustainability In The Air – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Other99+

LinkedIn73

Amazon4

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Similar podcasts and content

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Apple Podcasts

Spotify

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Other99+

LinkedIn73

Amazon4