4.6 Transport Decarbonisation Plan: Aviation

Commitment

We will consult on our Jet Zero strategy, which will set out the steps we will take to reach net zero aviation emissions by 2050

Set out our approach to accelerating efficiency improvements of aircraft, airports and airspace, positioning the UK as a global leader in zero emission flight and SAF, and will explore how we can support consumers to make more sustainable travel choices when flying.

Policy paper Jet Zero investment flightpath

The Royal Air Force has successfully completed a Voyager air-to-air refuelling flight, powered by an approximately 43% blend of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

We will consult on a target for UK domestic aviation to reach net zero by 2040

We will consider whether UK domestic aviation should aim to achieve net zero earlier than the UK’s share of international aviation emissions, which could support our wider ambitions by driving innovation and early technology adoption in the UK.

In our Jet Zero consultation published in July 2021, we proposed a target for all airport operations (Scopes 1 and 2 as described in ‘the target’ section) in England to be zero emissions by 2040. We received over 1,400 responses to the consultation, with mixed feedback on the airport target.

We will consult on a target for decarbonising emissions from airport operations in England by 2040

Several airports including Manchester and Gatwick have already achieved carbon neutrality; and many are now setting more ambitious targets, including Bristol, which is aiming for net zero emissions by 2030. We will consult on introducing an ambitious target across all airports.

The Department for Transport (DfT) has launched a consultation on its target for all airport operations in England to be zero emission by 2040.

We are supporting the development of new and zero carbon UK aircraft technology through the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) programme

The ATI Programme provides £150 million of funding per year, matched by industry, for mid-stage collaborative R&D projects from 2013 to 2026.

This includes the ATI led FlyZero study – the first essential step in setting out a detailed plan for how the UK might best contribute to a zero emission aircraft by 2030. As of May 2021, 327 R&D projects valued over £2.9 billion involving 352 unique organisations (including 218 SMEs) have been supported by the UK Government through the ATI Programme.

The ATI Programme funds industrial research and investment aid for research infrastructures to make the UK civil aerospace sector more competitive.

Competition closes: Friday 18 November 2022

Note: There is no equivalent in rail.

We will fund zero emission flight infrastructure R&D at UK airports

We will invest £3 million in 2021/22 through the Zero Emission Flight Infrastructure programme to accelerate R&D into infrastructure requirements at airports and airfields to handle new forms of zero emission aircraft.

Zero emission flight infrastructure has received £3 million of Government funding for research into electric and hydrogen aircraft.