The aviation sector is set to receive a £43 million boost from February to support green projects such as clean fuels and zero-emission aircraft, the government has announced.
Funding followers the ongoing investments driving current airport expansion plans at Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton.
According to the Department for Transport (DfT), the Transport Secretary Hedi Alexander, chaired a meeting on 20 January with airlines, airports, innovators and engineering firms. They discussed how technology can decarbonise the sector while also delivering growth.
“Zero emission aircraft, hydrogen fuels and other emerging technologies are vital to reduce the climate impacts from flying and will enable us to deliver our airport expansion plans to boost connectivity and grow the economy,” explained the Transport Secretary.
Low carbon fuels are forecasted to add up to £5 billion to the economy by 2050 and the government believes this funding will drive millions of pounds of private investment into Britain’s aviation sector.
Duncan McCourt, Chief Executive of Sustainable Aviation, said: “We know that aviation is one of the most challenging sectors to decarbonise and, as we continue on the road to net zero by 2050, industry action combined with government investment are required.
This funding will help turn ambition into operational reality across key decarbonisation pathways, helping to deliver carbon-neutral skies.”
Plans are also in place for a proportion of this funding to support the use and tracking of sustainable aviation fuels in regions like Africa and the Caribbean. The government said this will help “improve their participation in schemes that offset global aviation emissions.”
The DfT added: “This will ensure UK airlines are not at a financial disadvantage to airlines based in low-income countries, who can avoid the costs associated with carbon offsetting because they do not have the required tracking and implementation tools.”
Additionally, the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Bill, coming into force later this year is expected to provide long-term certainty for the SAF market by guaranteeing a set price for UK producers, helping the UK meet its climate targets.