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Could ‘guilt-free’ air freight be about to take off?
Aviation’s long dependence on CO2-emitting kerosene has made it one of the most difficult transport modes to decarbonise.
Since the publication of the Transport Decarbonisation Plan in 2021, however, it has been the government’s ambition to help the sector wean itself off high-carbon fuels by supporting research to develop transformative green aviation technology.
SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT IN ZERO-EMISSION AIRCRAFT
Last week (7 February 2023), the Business and Transport Secretaries announced that government and industry are investing £113 million in hydrogen and all-electric flight technologies to unlock guilt-free flight. Examples of some of the cutting-edge technologies that could be bankrolled by the investment include electric flying taxis and hydrogen-powered aircraft.
On the electric side, the investment will include supporting development by Vertical Aerospace, for the next generation of high-end, lightweight batteries for small aircraft. Investment in hydrogen projects includes those led by Rolls-Royce to develop the building blocks of a liquid hydrogen combusting jet engine, which would enable flight without the emissions.
UK AT THE FOREFRONT OF DECARBONISING AVIATION
Government and industry are jointly backing these new zero-carbon technologies through the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI). Its most recent success was the maiden flight of ZeroAvia’s hydrogen fuel cell-powered 19-seater aircraft in January. Virgin Atlantic will also receive government funding to complete the first ever net zero transatlantic flight on 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The flight from London to New York is scheduled to take off from the UK this year.
The hope and expectation is that successful ATI projects will help secure thousands of jobs across the supply chain, as well as hundreds of millions of pounds in private investment, putting the UK at the very forefront of decarbonising aviation.
GREENING GROUND OPERATIONS
At the same time, the Department for Transport (DfT) is launching a Call for Evidence seeking views from the sector on how to achieve zero emissions airport operations in England by 2040, a target set as part of the government’s Jet Zero Strategy in July 2022.
Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: “The Jet Zero Council is helping to define the future of flying – one that’s more optimistic about the sector’s environmental impact while putting UK innovation at the forefront of international aviation.
“As well as developing the next generation of aircraft, it’s also crucial we make the sector greener on the ground, and the call for evidence we’re launching will help us gather information on how airports can reach zero emissions by 2040.”
Ellis Shelton, Policy Advisor – Multimodal, Logistics UK, said: “Decarbonising the aviation sector has long been recognised as one of the biggest challenges to the government’s ambition to achieve net zero by 2050, one that will require a concerted effort from both government and industry.
“That is why Logistics UK is delighted to see significant investment going into collaborative government-industry partnerships like the Aerospace Technology Institute, supporting businesses developing the next generation of zero carbon and ultra-efficient aircraft.”
*www.logistics.org.uk/air
Published On: 16/02/2023 16:00:19
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