Aviation Leaders Chart $1.5 Trillion Path to Net-Zero by 2050
- Romy Kraus
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Tourism and Aviation Converge on Conservation: Inside the Mirpuri Foundation Forum 2025
The Mirpuri Foundation Conservation Forum brought together leaders from aviation, tourism, science, and policy to discuss how these powerful sectors can contribute to global conservation.
Organized alongside the Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy — a regatta dedicated to marine protection — the event aimed to bridge industry growth with environmental stewardship, under the theme “The Role of Tourism and Aviation in Global Conservation.”
The Lowdown
— Industry leaders outlined practical roadmaps to reach net-zero emissions, including fleet renewal, sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs), and infrastructure upgrades.— Ocean explorer Fabien Cousteau introduced Proteus, the first underwater habitat and research station, as a new frontier for marine conservation.— Engineers and material innovators presented new technologies designed to reduce travel-related environmental impacts.— Policymakers and tourism leaders shared models linking biodiversity protection directly to tourism growth strategies.— Hi Fly reinforced its commitment to lifecycle carbon accounting and measurable sustainability targets.
"Net-Zero Travel & Aviation: Pathways, Challenges, and Solutions"
The first panel featured:
Noora Al Sharhan, Head of ESG, Etihad Airways
Maria João Calha, Sustainability Director, TAP Air Portugal
Andreia Ramos, Sustainability & Environment Director, ANA Airports of Portugal
Sergejs Balonuskovs, Senior Manager Sustainability Europe, IATA
Al Sharhan emphasized that SAF is “the most immediate and scalable solution we have,” noting Etihad’s success in reducing emissions by up to 80% per SAF-powered flight segment.
Calha explained TAP’s commitment to cut emissions intensity per passenger kilometer by 25% before 2030, supported by continuous fleet renewal. “Sustainability is not an isolated department — it needs to be at the heart of operational and strategic decisions,” she said.
Ramos highlighted ANA’s investments in electrified ground operations and renewable energy. Upgrades planned across Portuguese airports are projected to save 7,500 tons of CO₂ annually by 2027.
Balonuskovs called for a unified global regulatory framework, warning that to meet the 2050 net-zero target, the aviation sector will need over $1.5 trillion in investments worldwide within the next 25 years.
"Voices of Change: Stories of Innovation and Conservation"
Fabien Cousteau, Founder of Proteus Ocean Group, shared insights on Proteus, the first large-scale underwater habitat and research platform.
Designed as a 4,000-square-foot modular laboratory, Proteus will allow long-term stays for scientists and content creators. Cousteau stressed that only 5% of the ocean has been explored and that it plays a crucial role in climate regulation and oxygen production.
“If people don’t see or feel the ocean’s story, they will never act to protect it,” he said, advocating for storytelling as a critical driver of marine conservation.
"Innovation: Technologies and Materials at the Service of Sustainable Travel"
This panel included:
Enrico Spinelli, Applications Engineer, European Space Agency (ESA)
Vitor Hugo Gonçalves, CEO, Águas de Monchique
André Oliveira, Director of Space Unit, CeiiA
Spinelli described how lightweight aerospace composites can cut aircraft fuel consumption by up to 20%, emphasizing that these technologies, initially developed for space, are now vital for aviation’s decarbonization efforts.
Gonçalves introduced Águas de Monchique’s closed-loop bottling system, which aims to reduce single-use plastic consumption by 90% and achieve full carbon neutrality across production sites by 2030.
Oliveira outlined CeiiA’s development of new materials and electric mobility solutions that can cut emissions in airport ground operations by up to 50%. “We need to integrate these technologies into local supply chains to make them scalable and impactful,” he said.
"Tourism, Aviation, and Global Conservation: A Synergistic Approach"
The final panel featured:
Paulo Estevão, Regional Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, Azores Government
Carla Salsinha, President, Regional Tourism Authority of the Lisbon Region
Robert Campbell, Programme Director, United for Wildlife (The Royal Foundation)
Elena Ruiz, VP Sustainable Business, Minor Hotels Europe & Americas
Estevão discussed the Azores’ approach, where tourism licensing fees directly support marine protected areas and biodiversity programs.
Campbell shared how United for Wildlife partners with aviation and travel companies to combat illegal wildlife trafficking, noting that collaboration with transport sectors is “critical to closing supply chain loopholes.”
Salsinha outlined Lisbon’s strategy to diversify visitor distribution and invest in community-led conservation projects to prevent overtourism.
Ruiz announced Minor Hotels’ plan to achieve 100% renewable energy in all European properties by 2030 and implement biodiversity impact assessments for all new developments. “We believe that protecting ecosystems is a fundamental part of long-term business viability,” she said.
Quickfire: What’s Next?
Most ambitious commitment? Hi Fly’s integration of lifecycle carbon analysis in fleet and operational planning to move beyond offsetting and focus on real emissions reductions.
Biggest obstacle? The slow pace of infrastructure adaptation compared to technological innovation.
Key reason for optimism? Strong cross-sector collaborations emerging to move solutions from pilot projects to mainstream adoption.
Advice for travelers? “Your travel choices are a vote for the kind of future you want to see — every airline ticket, every hotel stay matters,” said Carla Salsinha.
