Net zero aviation becomes one step closer today
(23rd July) as eight companies have been shortlisted
to receive a share of £15 million to develop first-of-a-kind
production plants across the UK that will turn waste into jet
fuel.
Announced as part of the Prime Minister’s Ten Point Plan, the
Green Fuels, Green Skies (GFGS) competition will support these
eight companies as they pioneer new technologies, converting
materials such as household waste, alcohol, carbon from the
atmosphere and sewage into jet fuel at commercial scales,
offering emissions savings of more than 70% compared to the use
of conventional fossil jet fuel.
The competition will help position the UK at the forefront of
the emerging global SAF industry by producing millions of
litres of SAF per year, putting flying onto a more sustainable
path.
Shortlisted proposals include plants aiming to produce jet fuel
from:
- carbon dioxide captured from the atmosphere with hydrogen
from water;
- alcohol derived from wastes, including flue gases from
industry;
- everyday household and commercial black bag rubbish;
Aviation is responsible for 2.5% of global carbon dioxide (CO2)
emissions and this announcement comes as the Government sets
out its long-term ambition to lead the world in SAF uptake,
with proposals for up to 10% SAF by 2030 and up to 75% SAF by
2050- generating potential savings of up to 23 megatons of
CO2 per year in 2050, equivalent to half a million
return flights to Tenerife.
Transport Secretary
said:
“Aviation will be central to our future growth and plans to
build back greener from the pandemic, which is why we have
invested over £20 million in the past year to decarbonise the
sector in line with our world-leading net zero targets.
“With 100 days to go until COP26, we’re ramping up our
efforts even further to help companies break ground on
trailblazing waste to jet fuel plants and put the UK at the
forefront of international SAF production.”
SAF production in the UK could generate between £700m and
£1,660m annually and create 11,000 green jobs by 2040 – with
this funding alone kickstarting the creation of over 1000 local
jobs in plants built in Cheshire, Lincolnshire, Tees Valley and
South Wales among other locations.
Launched today, the SAF mandate consultation sets out options
for SAF adoption in the UK and signals to investors the vital
role it will play in the UK aviation sector as we build back
greener from the pandemic.
This consultation follows the ambitious Jet Zero Consultation
announced last week alongside the Transport Decarbonisation
Plan. The Jet Zero Consultation commits the aviation sector to
a net zero emissions target by 2050, and a domestic target of
net zero emissions by 2040 consolidating the UK ‘s position as
leaders in reducing aviation emissions.
The Government will aim to showcase the outcomes of both of
these consultations and the work of the Jet Zero Council over
the past year at COP26 in Glasgow in 100 days consolidating the
UK as leaders in decarbonising aviation.
