RAeS Sustainability Summit

About this event

As the Royal Aeronautical Society commemorates its 160th anniversary, the 2026 Sustainability Summit offers an impartial, evidence-based space. This summit builds upon the 2025 conference, which addressed the strategic challenges of net-zero flight, the scaling of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), and the role of artificial intelligence and new technologies in operational efficiency.

The 2026 programme responds to two major changes: the end of free carbon allowances in the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) and the outcomes of COP30 in Brazil. These changes push the industry to move from planning to real action. The programme offers technical and strategic-oriented sessions on building a net-zero, nature-positive aerospace sector.

Bringing together thought-leaders from across aerospace to discuss the biggest environmental challenges facing the sector today, this conference is a key event for anyone working in aviation sustainability.

Agenda

The full agenda can be found here.

Day Two – 09:40 Next-Generation Aircraft Design

• David Debney FRAeS – Head of Technology – Whole Aircraft, Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI)
• Herve Morvan FRAeS – Chief of Future Platforms, Rolls-Royce
• Prof Laura Mainini FRAeS – Chair in Aerospace Computational Design, Department of Aeronautics, Imperial College London; Associate Director,
  Brahmal Vasudevan Institute for Sustainable Aviation
• Tom Grundy – CEO, Hybrid Air Vehicles
• Moderator: Dr Richard Wilson MRAeS – Founder/Director, RAW Aviation Consulting Ltd; RAeS Greener by Design Specialist Group

In the opening panel of Day Two, focus shifts from immediate improvements to the engineering breakthroughs that could define the next generation of aircraft. As demand for air travel continues to grow, manufacturers are developing new airframe concepts, advanced materials and zero-emission propulsion systems to dramatically improve efficiency. Speakers will discuss emerging designs, such as next generation narrowbodies and blended-wing concepts, as well as how digital tools such as digital twins and predictive analytics are helping engineers create aircraft that are easier to take apart, fix, and recycle when they reach the end of their service.