Sydney, Australia — Qantas and Airbus have jointly committed AUD$15 million to Climate Tech Partners (CTP), a venture capital fund focused on accelerating climate innovation—specifically in the development and commercialisation of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in Australia.
The new investment, drawn from the Qantas-Airbus SAF Partnership Fund established in 2022, is aimed at advancing early-stage technologies capable of decarbonising aviation at scale. The move underscores growing cross-sector collaboration in the race toward net-zero emissions in air travel.
Building a Homegrown SAF Ecosystem
The capital will support Series A-stage startups developing SAF production methods, alternative feedstocks, and other aviation-linked climate innovations. It will be deployed through a dedicated fund operating alongside CTP’s core vehicle and backed by a consortium of 12 strategic partners across energy, infrastructure, and manufacturing.
Qantas Chief Sustainability Officer Fiona Messent described SAF as “the most effective tool we have to decarbonise aviation,” adding that the investment will help de-risk emerging technologies and integrate them into the SAF supply chain. “As well as funding, this partnership will provide a vote of confidence in new technologies so they can be developed, scaled, and tested in real-world conditions,” she said in the joint press release.
Strategic Industry Alignment
Airbus’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Julie Kitcher, emphasised the need for coordinated action across the aviation value chain. “Decarbonising aviation at speed and scale requires bold collaboration across airlines, manufacturers, airports, regulators, and investors,” Kitcher noted. “Australia is well positioned to lead on low-carbon fuel development, and this initiative reflects that opportunity.”
The partnership is designed to not only fund innovation but embed it within a larger industrial context. CTP’s model prioritises hands-on collaboration with corporate stakeholders, enabling tailored support and capital allocation to companies with high-impact potential.
Patrick Sieb, Co-Founder of CTP, stated: “Working with global leaders like Qantas and Airbus allows us to make smarter investment decisions and give startups the support they need to navigate one of the most complex but vital sectors in climate tech.”
A Strategic Path to Decarbonisation
The Qantas-Airbus SAF fund, initially valued at USD $200 million, has become a key lever in Australia’s push to develop a domestic SAF industry. As highlighted by Messent, local SAF production also supports national fuel security and economic growth through job creation and reduced reliance on imports.
CTP’s broader focus includes sectors such as Energy & Power, Transport & Logistics, and Industrial Resources, with a goal of fostering globally scalable solutions. Its backers include major institutional and private investors, including the Besen Family Office.
References:
- Qantas Newsroom – April 2025
- Airbus Media Centre
- Climate Tech Partners
- Australian Government – Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
