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 10 point plan, the Green Fuels, Green Skies competition will support these 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. 

According to a Department for Transport statement, sustainable fuel will offer emissions savings of more than 70 per cent compared to the use of conventional fossil jet fuel.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps 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 sustainable aviation fuel production.”

Sustainable aviation fuel production in the UK could generate between £0.7 billion and £1.66 billion annually and create 11,000 green jobs by 2040.