Speaker Biograghy: Dr Harry Lehmann is a physicist and has been General Director of Environmental Planning and Sustainability Strategies at the German Federal Environment Agency since 2004. He was an early member, and is now the President, of the Factor 10 Club for resource productivity and sustainable use of natural resources. He is one of the founders of Eurosolar. In 2011 he became Executive Chairman of the World Renewable Energy Council. He has published several books. Since 1985 he has lectured at various universities, most recently at the University of Luneburg.


Day 1 - 15 March
Session: Energy, Environmental Issues & Sustainability

14:15 - 14:45 - The challenge of climate change and future requirements for the air transport industry
Synopsis: With the Paris Agreement, the international community confirmed the 2°C goal. For developed countries such as Germany, this would require a GHG reduction up to 95% by the year 2050. The growing aviation sector in particular faces serious challenges to become carbon neutral, because of limited alternatives to 'drop-in fuels'. Biofuels appear to present an enticing alternative, but on a large scale they would cause new sustainability problems like land-use change and water shortage. However, power-to-liquid has the potential to provide sustainable carbon-neutral fuels. To address non-CO2 climate effects, further measures will be needed.

Audience will learn:

• Paris Agreement requires tremendous efforts from GHG-intensive sectors like aviation
• Avoidance, modal shift and efficiency of air transport are top priorities but have limited potential
• Alternative fuels are essential for the future of the aviation industry but should not cause new sustainability problems
• Sufficient sustainable potential of power-to-liquid fuels in contrast to bio fuels
• Due to non-CO2 effects, carbon-neutral fuels present just a halfway solution to climate-neutral aviation