At this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo, the Royal Air Force hosted a high-impact panel sessions focused on the future of sustainable aviation in defence. The session, mirroring the Defence Aviation Net Zero Strategy, brought together RAF and industry experts to explore how the Defence Aviation Sector is tackling climate change through innovation and collaboration, driving a more resilient and sustainable Air Force.
The panel was chaired by Anita Bernie, Managing Director of MDA Space. Air Vice-Marshal Shaun Harris, Director of Support and Chief Engineer for the RAF opened the panel by thanking those attending. He was joined by:
Steve Gillard - Regional Sustainability Director for Europe and the Middle East at Boeing, Toby McCann - Head of Air Solutions and Sustainability, UK Training and Simulation at Thales and Squadron Leader Andy King - Senior Engineering Officer for the RAF Red Arrows.
Together, the panel explored how the RAF and its partners are addressing the challenges posed by climate change in order to maintain operation effectiveness.
“Mitigating climate change is not just about meeting environmental targets, it is about ensuring the Royal Air Force’s continued ability to operate anywhere in the world at any time. Many technologies being developed to tackle climate change can also help us to be more effective and resilient. As a highly technical service, we rely on attracting the next generation of talented people to help us innovate, adapt and succeed.”
Air Vice-Marshal Shaun Harris
A key theme throughout the session was the need to attract and empower the next generation of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) talent. With every sector competing for skilled people, the RAF and its partners are keen to show how careers in defence can contribute to positive climate action.
To highlight the activity of the RAF and industry partners in this space, the ‘Air Power Zero’ podcast was created. This five-part series features in-depth conversations with RAF leaders, engineers, academic and sustainability experts, covering topics such as:
- Alternative Propulsion Technology
- Sustainable Aviation fuel
- Improving Fuel Efficiency
- How to become Climate Resilient
- How the Industry is Embracing Emerging Tech
Listen now on your favourite podcast app or here.
