Green Boom: Sustainable Aviation Market Takes Global Stage.

• Author: Roaten, Meredith
• Position: GLOBAL AVIATION

FARNBOROUGH, United Kingdom--Outside one of the world's largest air shows, the temperature was climbing into the hundreds as a July heat wave swept across Europe.

Inside the air-conditioned chalets and less air-conditioned exhibition halls, industry executives and government officials were showing off aviation technology that they hope will reduce carbon emissions and help slow the effects of climate change.

While it was too late to avoid the sweltering heat during the show, aerospace companies are exploring electric and hybrid-electric engines, hydrogen power and sustainable aviation fuel to cut down on the carbon emissions that are worsening the impact of climate change.

Aviation is estimated to be one of the largest contributors to the U.S. military's carbon footprint. In 2017, the Air Force purchased $4.9 billion worth of fuel--the most of any service in that year--according to 2021 research by Lancaster University academics titled "The Carbon Bootprint of the U.S. Military and Prospects for a Safer Climate."

The World Economic Forum last year estimating that the airline industry is responsible for nearly 3 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions.

While there is a growing interest by government customers to reduce carbon emissions, discussion tends to be focused on the future, Dale Swartz, an analyst for consulting firm McKinsey said during a panel discussion at the airshow. The technology just isn't mature enough yet, he said.

"I think as this gets proven out, I think as the economics continue to be more favorable in a lot of ways, and you have those proof points there, you're going to see a lot more of it," he said.

Internationally, governments are looking at ways to become more carbon neutral, said Robin Riedel, an analyst for McKinsey.

He pointed to the Air Force's technology incubator program, Agility Prime, as an example of the impact the military can have on the sustainable aviation space. AFWERX, the service's tech incubator, has helped connect companies like Vermont-based start-up Beta Technologies with Defense Department funding.

But it can be cballenging to transfer technology from passenger to military aircraft, he noted.

"The performance requirements in the defense environment are often a bit higher than a commercial environment," he said.

One aerospace prime with a big defense business that is taking a leap toward green aviation is Boeing.

Boeing-backed company Wisk Aero put its all-electric vertical takeoff and landing...