25 November 2024
Sustainable Aviation Fuel is seen as the immediate way airlines can reduce carbon emissions and the British government has announce a new Jet Zero Taskforce to support its production and delivery.
The announcement comes ahead of the annual Airlines Conference which Secretary of State for Transport Louise Haigh will attend along with the head of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Juan Carlos Salazar Gómez. ICAO is marking its 80th anniversary .
“The Jet Zero Taskforce will serve as the driving force to transform how people fly – aligning with the government’s missions to make the UK a clean energy superpower and kickstart the economy,” said a govt statement.
“It will feature an annual CEO-level meeting chaired by the Transport Secretary to set priorities and review progress. Members will include the Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Ed Miliband, CEOs of major airlines, such as easyJet and Virgin, airports like Heathrow and Manchester, as well as fuel producers, trade bodies and leading universities.
How SAF is made. Infographic: AirBP
Transport Secretary Louise Haigh said, “Climate change is one of the biggest challenges we face, and together with industry, I am determined to build an aviation sector that’s future-ready and better for the planet.
“We need to make flying a cleaner, greener experience and the new and improved Jet Zero Taskforce will be the driving force behind this transition.”
A mandate to require an increasing amount of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in overall jet fuel will become effective from 1 January 2025. By 2040, 22 per cent of all jet fuel must come from sustainable sources – whether that be from household waste or by using cutting-edge power-to-liquid technology.
It follows a new UK target to reduce emissions by 81% by 2035, set at COP29 in Azerbaijan.
