BRUSSELS, Belgium – July 15, 2026 – In a significant endorsement of European innovation and climate leadership, Stéphane Séjourné, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission and Commissioner for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy, has granted the European Commission's official patronage to Climate Impulse. Led by explorer Bertrand Piccard and composite-materials engineer Raphaël Dinelli, the project aims to achieve the world's first non-stop, zero-emission flight around the globe, powered entirely by green hydrogen. The EU's endorsement demonstrates the bloc's drive to pair climate leadership with industrial strength.
Download the press releaseA European endorsement: climate, industry and sovereignty
At a time when global momentum on climate action is facing increasing headwinds, the European Union's endorsement of Climate Impulse sends a clear signal: Europe remains firmly committed to accelerating the transition to a climate-neutral future through innovation and clean technologies.
By placing Climate Impulse under its patronage, the European Commission officially recognises that the project aligns with its objectives and values, and makes a meaningful contribution to the European Union's climate, innovation and sovereignty agenda. The endorsement reflects a firm commitment to backing breakthrough projects capable of advancing decarbonisation at pace, support that extends well beyond climate objectives alone.
"Climate Impulse is a testament to European ingenuity: our ability to push the boundaries of science, engineering and innovation to make possible what seemed impossible just yesterday. Europe has always progressed thanks to its pioneers, researchers and industrialists; this project is further proof of that. With hydrogen, we are supporting a strategic sector that will be one of the driving forces behind the decarbonisation of our economy and our industrial competitiveness. Granting the European Commission's patronage to Climate Impulse was a natural choice: this aircraft will fly the flag for Europe and our journey towards a decarbonised world."
In an era of intensifying global competition for clean technologies, Europe's ability to design, build and scale the solutions of tomorrow has become a strategic priority. Green hydrogen, advanced composite materials, electrification and high-efficiency electric propulsion are not only climate tools; they are pillars of industrial competitiveness and strategic autonomy. By championing a project that brings these technologies together in one of the most demanding applications imaginable, sustained, long-haul flight, the Commission signals that Europe intends to lead the clean-industrial transition.
"At a moment when Europe is questioning its role on the global scene, we have to show what European innovation is capable of achieving, and make it a flagship for environmental ambition and pioneering spirit. With Climate Impulse, we want to restore hope by demonstrating that what many consider impossible becomes possible when we dare to challenge our certitudes and habits," said Bertrand Piccard, President and Co-founder of Climate Impulse.
The patronage of Executive Vice-President of the European Commission and Commissioner for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy, Stéphane Séjourné, is therefore far more than the honour of carrying the European Union's flag on our aircraft; it is a strong signal of Europe's confidence in innovation as a driving force for sustainable economic growth, environmental progress and societal transformation.
As Special Advisor on Renewables and Energy Efficiency to European Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jørgensen, Bertrand Piccard is committed to accelerating the deployment of clean and efficient technologies. Beyond advising on policy, he is leading by example, demonstrating through concrete initiatives how innovation can drive Europe's energy transition.
"Climate Impulse is first and foremost an engineering challenge. To achieve a non-stop round-the-world flight powered by green hydrogen, we must integrate and optimise technologies that have never before been combined in an aircraft of this scale and mission profile. The project requires advances in hydrogen storage, fuel cell integration, energy efficiency, lightweight composite materials, and aircraft systems architecture. The European Commission's patronage highlights the strategic importance of these innovations and their potential applications beyond aviation."
The patronage also serves as a catalyst for dialogue between institutional, scientific and industrial leaders, fostering the collaboration needed to accelerate a more sustainable aviation. It also underscores the urgency of modernising aircraft fleets and advancing cleaner, more efficient heavy transport, while sending a clear signal to investors, innovators and partners across the continent: Europe stands behind the pioneers who open new paths.
Industrial and scientific partnership at the heart of the project
An ambition of this scale can only be realised with the support of world-class industrial leaders. The project is backed by its Main Partners, Syensqo and OCP Group and Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), and official partners Breitling and Orange, whose expertise and commitment are essential to making this vision a reality.
Climate Impulse's technology partner, Syensqo, brings its leadership in advanced composite materials, specialty polymers and sustainable industrial innovation. The company contributes cutting-edge solutions essential to the specific requirements of a hydrogen-powered aircraft, to ensure efficiency, performance and safety.
The partnership is a working example of how European industry and innovation power can turn projects and climate ambition into reality.
"The European Commission's patronage of Climate Impulse sends a strong signal about the importance of breakthrough innovation in addressing climate and industrial challenges. At Syensqo, we are proud to contribute our advanced materials and hydrogen technologies to this flagship European project.
From lightweight composite structures to fuel-cell materials that support efficiency and range performance, our innovations help transform bold ambition into engineering reality. Climate Impulse demonstrates the critical role of materials science in enabling the next generation of sustainable aviation and strengthening Europe's innovation leadership."
Main Partners of Climate Impulse, OCP Group and University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P), also welcome the European Commission's decision to grant its patronage to this pioneering project. This recognition demonstrates the growing alignment between scientific research, industrial expertise, and public institutions in advancing sustainable mobility solutions.
Tackling the climate challenge requires partnerships that cross borders and disciplines. Climate Impulse embodies our shared conviction that the most transformative innovations emerge from collaboration between science, industry and public authorities. For OCP Group, this project is a natural extension of our commitment to decarbonize the industry; at UM6P, our researchers and students are actively contributing to the development of these technologies. This shared perspective was expressed by Hanane Mourchid, Managing Director in charge of Sustainability & Green Utilities at OCP Group, and Hicham El Habti, President of Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P).
A 2030 take-off, and a message beyond aviation
Aviation is among the sectors widely regarded as hard to decarbonise. Yet it is precisely in these sectors that demonstrations of credibility and ambition matter most. Beyond being a first-of-its-kind aircraft flying on electric propulsion fuelled by green hydrogen, Climate Impulse is designed to show that emission-free flight is not a distant abstraction but an engineering challenge that can be met with technologies available now.
Set to take off in 2030, Climate Impulse aims to show how clean technologies, innovation and international collaboration can drive transformative and sustainable economic, environmental and human progress. By circling the globe without emitting CO₂, the project aspires to disrupt the aviation industry and challenge the status quo, inspiring
