Coinciding with its hottest day on record, the UK government has formally launched its highly anticipated Jet Zero strategy, promising an ambitious target of net-zero emissions right across the British commercial aviation industry by 2040.
What exactly is Jet Zero?
The latest government legislation sets out a picture of the UK aviation industry, currently contributing around £22 billion to the economy each year and set to grow further through the post-pandemic recovery period. Following suit from other net-zero emissions pledges from airlines and airports to become one of the first countries to commit to decarbonizing aviation, Jet Zero aims to “future-proof” the aviation sector, creating thousands of additional green jobs while delivering guilt-free air travel.
There are six key points highlighted within the strategy, including improving the efficiency and knowledge of the UK’s current aviation infrastructure and systems, supporting the development of zero-emissions aircraft, providing consumers with improved resources to make their own sustainable travel choices, and increased investments in sustainable aviation fuels (SAF).
SAFs appear to have drawn the most intrigue, with the government committing to having five commercial-scale SAF plants by 2025 and mandating that at least 10% of jet fuel will be made from sustainable sources by 2030. The scheme is primarily backed by the Department of Transport and Ricardo’s Advanced Fuel Fund, covering £165 million in investment for the project.Jet Zero commits to net-zero emissions in the UK’s domestic aviation industry by 2040, with all airports across England meeting zero-emissions within the same year.
Too overpromised?
Despite Grant Shapp’s sunny outlook on the future of “guilt-free flying,” the strategy has come under fire from environmental groups and industry specialists for setting unrealistic targets that are unlikely to have any real impact.
One group raising its eyebrows at the motion is European green campaigners Transport & Environment (T&E). While welcoming the overall strategy, T&E has argued that the government has failed to produce any actual solutions for a sustainable transformation of the aviation industry.
“There is an ambitious 10% mandate for SAFs, but not all SAFs are created equal and it’s essential to deploy the most sustainable ones. The government will shortly consult on SAFs, but investments in green fuels should start as soon as possible,” T&E wrote in a statement.”The strategy still leaves UK aviation emitting half of the greenhouse gases it currently does in 2050, which is simply not good enough in a climate emergency.”
Similarly, the Aviation Environment Federation (AEF), a London-based NGO, has criticized Jet Zero’s reliance on technology, instead noting that the simplest way to develop a green aviation sector and deliver on net-zero targets would include withdrawing policy support for a third runway at London Heathrow Airport.Environmentalists have argued that the easiest solution for sustainable development is to withdraw support for airport expansion policies.
“Ministers are not being honest about what it will take to achieve net zero flying. It’s crucial that we start reducing emissions now but the strategy doesn’t forecast any reductions before the next decade so we’re on course to blow our 2035 climate target,” noted AEF director Tim Johnson.“The strategy avoids answering the difficult questions like the need to fly less, and calling a halt to airport expansions.”
Airport support
Despite concerns, bosses at the Manchester Airports Group (MAG) have moved to praise the strategy, with chief executive Charlie Cornish noting that the publication of Jet Zero is an important recognition by the government of the industry-wide work towards building a more sustainable future.
“Decarbonization is one the most important issues facing our society and at MAG we are committed to playing a full role in the aviation industry achieving net zero,” added Cornish.“With the pledges we have announced today, we will be working even more closely with our industry partners and the UK government through the Jet Zero Council, to make real and measurable progress against the targets we have in place.”
The Jet Zero strategy can be viewed on the website of the UK government.
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