Govt pledges to accelerate SAF production in race to reach net zero
Will PayneThe government has outlined plans accelerate the production of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) with continued investment through a new two-year action plan in the race to reach net-zero aviation emissions by 2050.
Through the plan, the Jet Zero Council – made up of industry, government and academic leaders – committed to continue working to speed up the design, manufacture, and rollout of zero emission aircraft and related infrastructure at UK airports.
The plan sets out how the council will help to accelerate the production of SAF by continuing to invest millions of pounds in plants, supporting scientific research on a larger scale, and helping to drive down production costs.
It comes ahead of the Sustainable Skies World Summit in Farnborough, which gathers experts and leaders from aviation, government, energy, and engineering, and in response to renewed cajoling from the industry itself.
UK transport secretary Mark Harper said: "This government is a determined partner to the aviation industry – helping accelerate new technology and fuels, modernise their operations, and work internationally to remove barriers to progress.
"Together, we can set aviation up for success, continue harnessing its huge social and economic benefits, and ensure it remains a core part of the UK’s sustainable economic future."
The Jet Zero Strategy sets out how the UK can achieve net zero emissions from aviation by 2050 without directly limiting demand for aviation, and the £165 million Advanced Fuel Fund is also kickstarting production, with five projects already chosen to receive funding.
The government is co-investing, with industry, in innovative aerospace technology, through the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) Programme which has a £685m R&D budget over the spending review period (22/23 to 24/25).
Led by ATI, the 12-month study will work closely with industry to define the operating model for a group of open access research and development facilities designed to accelerate the development of liquid hydrogen propulsion aircraft technologies, capabilities and skills in the UK. It will also explore options for the supply of green liquid hydrogen.
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