Airbus And Qantas Invest AUD$15M In Climate Tech Fund

In a bold step towards a cleaner aviation future, Airbus and Qantas have collectively invested AUD$15 million in Climate Tech Partners (CTP), a climate-oriented venture capital firm. Unveiled in Sydney, the strategic investment is intended to speed up the development and commercialisation of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and other critical technologies essential to decarbonising aviation in Australia. The investment reflects an increasing industry agreement that concerted, immediate action is needed to achieve net-zero emissions targets.

The new fund is a specialist vehicle that will work in tandem with CTP's core climate-tech investment pool and will target the discovery and development of early-stage technologies that can be scaled to industrial scale. This encompasses innovation in the production of SAF, alternative feedstock development, and other value-chain efficiencies. The collaboration unites partners from across energy, infrastructure, and manufacturing, creating a cross-industry partnership of 12 partners who will provide strategic counsel, mentorship, and access to industry for start-ups.

Julie Kitcher, Airbus Chief Sustainability Officer, underlined the urgent need for cross-sector partnership to solve the aviation sector's climate dilemma. "Decarbonising aviation at speed and scale needs bold action and cooperation across sectors – airlines, manufacturers and airports, as well as regulators, governments and investors," she added. Kitcher also underscored the potential of Australia to be a leader in low-carbon fuel development, hailing the country's natural resources and nascent technological innovation ecosystem as the drivers.

This investment is part of the overall Qantas-Airbus Sustainable Aviation Fuel partnership fund, a US$200 million fund created in 2022. The fund aims to back early-stage Series A-stage start-ups worldwide, although it has a specific focus on the Australian market. The strategy makes sure that innovations backed by the fund are not just technologically viable but also geared for realistic application within the aviation industry.

Fiona Messent, Qantas Group Chief Sustainability Officer, emphasized the revolutionary impact of SAF in decarbonising aviation. "Sustainable aviation fuel is the best tool we have to decarbonise aviation and, with Airbus, we're investing heavily in how to make it more accessible and available," Messent said. She said that the alliance not only gives vital investment to new technologies but also a vital vote of confidence, allowing innovators to overcome the treacherous journey from research to market.

Through the collaboration, involved businesses will have access to the world aviation expertise and operational networks of Qantas and Airbus. This in-action support may significantly reduce the transition window from pilot testing to actual implementation, particularly with both aviation behemoths leaving the door open for follow-on or direct investment in the most successful ventures.

Climate Tech Partners, founded by Patrick Sieb, has a history of triggering early-stage climate innovation. With a sectoral core focus in areas including Energy & Power, Transport & Logistics, and Industrials & Resources, CTP seeks to support solutions that are impactful as well as scalable globally. Sieb called the collaboration a "high-impact collaboration" that will enable CTP to make better-informed investment decisions by connecting directly with industry leaders such as Airbus and Qantas.

Sieb also pointed out the wider economic advantages of such schemes, especially for Australia. Through the development of an onshore SAF production industry, the nation can enhance its national fuel security, create jobs, and drive regional economic activity. These advantages sit in line with the aspiration of the Australian government and private sector to be a center for sustainable fuel production and exports.

The announcement comes on the heels of recent reports that Airbus and Qantas are backing Australian SAF refiner Jet Zero with a $19.2 million investment, further signaling their firm commitment to developing a local SAF ecosystem.

The co-investment in Climate Tech Partners is more than money-it's a whole strategy to combine capital, innovation, and industry knowledge to pursue a net-zero aviation industry. As the sector comes under increasing pressure to decarbonise, such initiatives not only facilitate technological breakthrough but also mark leadership in creating sustainable, long-term aviation infrastructure.

With Australia ideally placed to take advantage of local availability of feedstock, high-quality research facilities, and access to global markets, this partnership is a key milestone in the worldwide shift to cleaner skies.