The Science of Sustainable Aviation, with Sophie Zienkiewicz

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we talk to Sophie Zinkevich, who has a refreshingly practical approach to one of climate action's most challenging puzzles: how do we keep flying without destroying the planet? As co-founder of Carbon Neutral Fuels, this chemist-turned-entrepreneur is pioneering sustainable aviation fuel that could transform how we think about air travel emissions.The power-to-liquid technology Sophie's company is developing combines carbon dioxide captured directly from the air with water and renewable electricity to create jet fuel that's chemically identical to conventional options but without the net carbon footprint. During our fascinating conversation, Sophie breaks down complex chemical processes with clarity and enthusiasm, explaining how her company's journey began at COP26 and has rapidly progressed to selecting a site for their first production facility.  The road ahead isn't without obstacles – economic challenges remain the primary hurdle for power-to-liquid fuels, with production costs currently higher than conventional jet fuel and significant capital investment required for facilities. Yet Sophie's optimism is contagious as she shares how dropping renewable energy prices and creative applications of the technology could soon make sustainable aviation fuel economically viable at scale.Follow GoodGeist for more episodes on sustainability, communications and how creativity can help make the world a better place.