Watson Farley & Williams is delighted to launch episode six of our ‘Countdown to COP: Financing and Fuelling the Future’ podcast series. This week, Mhairi discusses the aviation sector with Global Aviation Sector Co-Head, Jim Bell.
Listen to our Aviation episode on Apple or Spotify and access the transcript here.
While the aviation sector is pushing toward achieving net zero by 2050, it faces serious challenges. Not least the challenge of the physics of flight and the associated limitations, but also challenges around the timing required for safety and testing before new technology can take effect.
Sustainable aviation fuels, while presenting their own challenges, are the principal hope for betterment in aviation at present and significant investment into their production will be an important step in the drive toward net zero over the next five years. Having a global definition of what is considered a sustainable aviation fuel would also be beneficial for what is a global industry.
But perhaps the most important element of the drive toward achieving net zero by 2050 is a continued focus on what can be considered and classified as ‘green’ amongst existing transitional technology to attract investment into the sector.
Jim has significant experience in advising financiers, lessors and operators on structured and asset finance, with the majority of his practice focussed on the aviation industry. He has led on some of the most innovative, complex and high profile structured and asset finance transactions, including many ‘Deal of the Year’ award-winning transactions.
To discuss any aspect of this episode further, please do reach out to Mhairi Main Garcia, Jim Bell or your usual WFW contact. And to sign up to receive all forthcoming episodes of this podcast series, please click here.
