Ministers and aviation chiefs met at Farnborough Airport to reveal an action plan for the next two years to reach Jet Zero by 2050.
The Government continues with ambitious plans to speed up the design, manufacture, and rollout of zero emission aircraft and infrastructure across British airports. The Jet Zero Council - a collaboration between industry, academic and government leaders - met in Farnborough today to unveil its two year plan to accelerate the production of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), with millions of pounds to be invested into new SAF plants, supporting scientific research and development into SAF, and helping to drive down production costs.
Farnborough Airport also hosted the Sustainable Skies World Summit, which gathers leaders and experts from the aviation, energy, engineering and public sectors to support the industry's efforts towards meeting its net zero commitment.
The UK’s Sustainable Aviation Fuels programme is one of the most comprehensive in the world. The Jet Zero Strategy sets out how net zero emissions can be achieved by the UK aviation sector by 2050, without directly limiting demand for aviation, and the £165 million Advanced Fuel Fund is 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 £685 million R&D budget over the Spending Review period (2022/23 to 2024/25).
Commenting, Leo said:
"Through boosting investment in sustainable aviation fuels, and the research and development pioneered here in Farnborough, the aviation sector will be able to deliver zero emission transatlantic flight within a generation.
"The 2-year action plan launched here in Farnborough will help to future-proof the aviation industry and deliver new green jobs."
Leo pictured with the Pipistrel engine, the first type-certified propulsion system for electric aircraft