Aviation fuel is one of the biggest contributors to climate change apparently responsible for 3.5% of global warming.
So it is not too surprising that across the globe entrepreneurs are trying to find ways to make flying greener.
They are going to get a bit of a nudge from the UK government too as today it launched the Green Fuel, Green Skies competition, which aims to support the development of cutting-edge facilities capable of turning everyday waste into jet fuel.
The idea being that the initiative is part of Prime Minister’s Ten Point Plan, and will support UK companies as they pioneer new technologies to convert household rubbish, waste wood and excess electricity into sustainable aviation fuel.
Essentially there is £15 million up for grabs for entrepreneurs to kickstart the development of first-of-a-kind production plants in the UK to produce these fuels at scale.
Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, said:
“As the aviation sector emerges out of the pandemic and looks towards recovery over the coming months, we must put our environmental commitments at the centre of everything we do – so not only do we build back better, we also build back greener.
That’s why we’re stepping up our work on the Council, recruiting new members and launching pioneering efforts to ensure that we continue to lead the world by example and deliver on our ambitious net-zero targets.”
Business Secretary, Kwasi Kwarteng, said:
“Today’s meeting of the Jet Zero Council demonstrates the vital collaboration between government and industry that will make zero-emission flights a reality.
Britain’s aerospace sector is at the centre of our plans to build back greener from the pandemic. We are committed to supporting its recovery and investing in green tech to take us closer to zero carbon take-off.”
Through its Future Flight Challenge, the UK government has already committed £125 million of funding over four years, a figure that has been matched by £175 million from industry.
The money is to be invested in working on greener ways to fly, such as all-electric aircraft and deliveries by drone, by advancing electric and autonomous flight technologies.
Photo by Chevanon Photography from Pexels
