The Sustainable Aviation industry coalition has called for aviation to be at the heart of the UK Government’s economic recovery strategy, saying that a joined-up approach to decarbonising aviation will enable the country to rapidly bounce back from Covid-19.
In a letter to the Transport Secretary, Sustainable Aviation called on the UK Government to capitalize on the UK’s position on sustainable aviation fuel technology by committing £500 million (US$616 million) to support early stage projects. This follows news last week that Europe’s first municipal waste-to-jet fuel facility – Altalto Immingham – was granted planning permission in North East Lincolnshire in the UK.
The coalition is also calling on the Government to work with industry to develop aircraft and engine technology R&D capabilities, to accelerate UK airspace modernisation, to make use of new aircraft performance capability to reduce emissions and noise and to progress robust carbon offset measures and carbon removal technologies.
The Sustainable Aviation coalition members include aerospace manufacturers, suppliers, airports and aircraft operators including Rolls-Royce, Air BP, NATS and Boeing.
Adam Morton, chair of Sustainable Aviation said, “In February this year, UK aviation committed to net zero emissions by 2050 and laid out a plan to achieve this through investing in cleaner aircraft and engine technology, smarter flight operations, sustainable aviation fuels and high-quality carbon offsets and removals.
“Three months on, these actions all remain essential to delivering sector wide decarbonization, particularly given the role UK aviation can play as an engine for rebuilding the economy. But to capitalize on these opportunities we need urgent action from Government, particularly to support the commercialization of sustainable aviation fuel technology in the UK.”
