The UK government's ambitious plan to slash greenhouse gas emissions from aviation has received a £219 million boost with the launch of a new Low Carbon Fuels Fund. This major investment aims to propel the country towards a cleaner flying future, backed by thousands of new jobs and an estimated £5 billion contribution to the economy by 2050.
Out of the total pot, £93 million will be made available for pioneering UK companies over the next two years, focusing on projects that are ready to take off. This injection of cash builds upon previous government commitments, including £198 million allocated through the Advanced Fuels Fund since 2022 to drive cleaner aviation technologies.
Aviation Minister Keir Mather hailed this move as a crucial step towards Britain's "green aviation revolution", underlining its potential to create high-skilled jobs and cement the UK's status as a world leader in future flight fuels. Projections suggest that a thriving domestic sustainable aviation fuel industry could support up to 15,000 new roles.
The government has also launched a Call for Evidence on the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Mandate, which requires a steadily increasing proportion of jet fuel supplied in the UK to be sustainable. The mandate kicks in at 2% in 2025, rising to 10% by 2030 and 22% by 2040. This will examine global supply projections to ensure targets can be met effectively.
Sustainable aviation fuel offers a vital pathway for the aviation industry to meet its net-zero ambitions, reducing emissions by an average of 70% compared to conventional jet fuel on a lifecycle basis. Investment in this sector is seen as crucial for the future of aviation, unlocking opportunities for young people in fields like engineering, science and manufacturing.
Source: UK Government