Emirates has announced that it has become an industrial partner of the Aviation Impact Accelerator (AIA), based at the University of Cambridge.
It was shared that the partnership aims to foster collaboration, providing evidence for a number of the AIA’s climate impact tools; it will also support their data modelling work advancements and see the company actively engage in future projects dedicated to cutting global aviation emissions.
The new partnership marks Emirates’ first USD $200 million Sustainability Fund investment for research and development (R&D) projects focussed on reducing the impact of fossil fuels in commercial aviation, it was shared.
The AIA initiative is an international group of multi-disciplinary experts developing evidence-based systems, modelling capability, visualisations, and specialised tools to support policymakers, the aviation industry and the wider public with the insights necessary to map, understand and accelerate pathways towards sustainable aviation.
It is co-led by the University of Cambridge’s Whittle Laboratory and the Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL).
Further, the modelling capability of the AIA is a collaboration between the Bennett Innovation Lab (a new innovation laboratory set up as part of the New Whittle Laboratory) and CISL, to look for ways to accelerate net zero aviation.
Boeing, Rolls-Royce, The Royal Air Force, IATA, 4Air, and Flexjet are also industrial partners.
Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline commented: “Emirates is proud to support the Aviation Impact Accelerator as the first project under our Sustainability Fund. As an industrial partner, we have a unique opportunity to play an active role in constructively sharing our knowledge and insights, broadening the AIA’s reach across geographies and supporting the development of tools that address a spectrum of new aviation technologies and their critical gaps if implemented in the future. The work being undertaken by the Aviation Impact Accelerator provides the potential blueprint for the changes and solutions underway to reduce the long-term climate impact of commercial aviation.”
Professor Rob Miller FREng, Director of the Whittle Laboratory, University of Cambridge and AIA lead, added: “We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Emirates, which will support us in our mission to accelerate the world towards net-zero aviation. Airlines will play a crucial role in the sector’s transition, and we are delighted that Emirates is demonstrating this leadership. We believe that the Sustainability Fund will be pivotal in unlocking actions in the sector.”