TULIPS launches sustainable and innovative projects

From hydrogen-powered tow trucks to electric flying and from circular construction to smart transport solutions; the TULIPS launch event was all about sustainability and innovation. With great interest the 29 partners of the TULIPS consortium presented their plans at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol on 27 October 2022. Together we will organise 17 demonstrator projects at Schiphol and TULIPS partner airports over the next four years, with support from the EU. In this way, we want to drastically reduce emissions before 2030 and accelerate decarbonisation of aviation. 

The importance of TULIPS      

Schiphol CEO Dick Benschop opened the launch event, representing the lighthouse airport of this European programme. He emphasized the urgency and importance of cooperation between the partners, such as takes place within TULIPS. These collaborations are needed precisely to get investments off the ground and to accelerate innovations.  “This year is not just about words or commitments, but about action.” 

Committed participants and attendees 

The partners then presented their plans on the basis of three themes: greener flight, smart airport and clean airport.  The panel discussions resulted in lively conversations on stage between participants such as TNO, TU Delft, Pipistrel, the airports of Stavanger (Avinor) and Cyprus, SkyNRG, Schiphol, KES, ACI, Exces Materials Exchange and Egis. Online, too, there was a great deal of involvement in the topics. Dozens of questions came in. Some of these we will share later on the website.    

Wrap up TULIPS launch event 

Keynote Florian Dirkse, co-founder of The Ocean Cleanup shared how he made his dreams come true by being committed and by just doing, tackling challenges along the way. Liz Price, Professor of Environmental Education at the University of Manchester and member of the Executive Board of TULIPS, finally summed up the day. She mentioned three factors that we need to work on: “technological innovations, changing hearts and minds and partnerships are crucial to deliver.”  

Thank you! 

A big thank you to all participants and attendees, whether on site or online. We greatly appreciate your involvement and input!