Jet Zero launches £15 million competition to reduce aviation emissions

Net zero-emission aviation is one step closer following the launch of a new competition March 16 to support the development of cutting-edge facilities capable of turning everyday waste into jet fuel.

The Green Fuel, Green Skies competition, which is part of the Prime Minister’s Ten Point Plan, will support British companies as they pioneer new technologies to convert household rubbish, waste wood and excess electricity into sustainable aviation fuel.

Offering emissions savings of more than 70 percent compared to conventional jet fuel, these trailblazing projects will help put flying onto a more sustainable path while helping to create up to 11,500 jobs over the coming decades.

Companies will be able to bid for a share of £15 million to kickstart the development of first-of-a-kind production plants in the U.K. to produce these fuels at scale.

This comes as the government’s second Jet Zero Council meeting is attended by new CEO Emma Gilthorpe, chief operating officer at Heathrow Airport. Promoting the vision of the group, Gilthorpe will increase its reach with key stakeholders across the sector helping drive forward decarbonization of aviation.

Joining the distinguished roster of industry and environmental experts, new additions from the Royal Air Force and Civil Aviation Authority will bring a breadth of knowledge and experience to the council, energizing the charge to reduce emissions and deliver clean growth in the sector.

“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 center of everything we do—so not only do we build back better, we also build back greener,” said Grant Shapps, transport secretary. “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.”

Kwasi Kwarteng, business secretary, 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 center 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 the Future Flight Challenge, the government has committed £125 million of funding over four years. This has been matched by £175 million from industry to develop greener ways to fly, such as all-electric aircraft and deliveries by drone, by advancing electric and autonomous flight technologies.

Just this week, Project 2ZERO announced plans to use its share of £2.4 million through this fund to demonstrate flights of six- and 19-seat hybrid-electric planes.

The project will demonstrate the use of electric and hybrid aircraft on regional routes, showing the potential to decarbonize aviation while supporting regional connectivity.

The government has put in place one of the most comprehensive packages of business support in the world, pledging around £7 billion since the start of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.