The RTFA hosted a reception at the House of Commons on Wednesday 2nd March to showcase companies at the forefront of developing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). The event was hosted by Lia Nici, MP, Great Grimsby, and event speakers included Robert Courts (Aviation Minister) and Trudy Harrison (Green Transport Minister).

The event was a great success with many parliamentarians in attendance who networked with Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) technology providers, project developers, key aviation stakeholders, and senior civil servants.

SAF is the most rapid and effective way of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from aviation, and currently looks the only viable long-term option for long-haul flights. A number of the winners from the UK government’s Green Fuels Green Skies competition showcased their projects and plans, and described to parliamentarians how they will utilise waste as diverse as black bin bag waste and sewage sludge to make jet fuel. The fuel that will be produced is identical to that currently in use but made from renewable energy and low carbon sources as opposed to fossil fuels.

 

Robert Courts, Minister for Aviation, said:

“The UK is spearheading the green aviation revolution and, with an increasingly wide range of technologies available, there is no doubt that sustainable aviation fuel will be vital to drive decarbonisation forward.”

Trudy Harrison, Minister for Transport Decarbonisation, said:

“Sustainable aviation fuels will be vital as we look to reduce emissions from flights and transition to a net zero world.

We’ve recently committed £180 million to further support the development of UK SAF plants and I look forward to working with the innovative minds within the industry to build a world-leading advanced fuels sector.”

Gaynor Hartnell, RTFA Chief Executive said:

“The DfT is really gearing up its work on decarbonising aviation, with a host of new recruits and initiatives.  The message we hear is that domestic production is extremely important, and current energy markets underline the importance of resilience and energy security.  For RTFA members to go on to build the projects they set out for MPs and peers at this event, a bankable income stream is essential, and we are confident this is being widely understood.”

Notes for editors

The Renewable Transport Fuels Association (RTFA) is the UK’s leading trade association driving the uptake of sustainable renewable and low carbon fuels and the voice of the UK’s renewable liquid and gaseous fuel producers and suppliers.

See the full text of the Speech made by Trudy Harrison, Minister for Transport Decarbonisation.

The RTFA member companies present at the parliamentary event were winners of grants under the Government’s Clean Fuels Clean Skies programme; Alfanar Energy Limited, Green Fuels Research Ltd, LanzaTech UK Ltd, Nova Pangaea Technologies (UK) Limited and Velocys Plc, along with Petrofac an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractor in the sector. Grant Pearson, chair of the RTFA and CEO of Ensus UK Ltd, a bioethanol producer, also spoke at the event.

The Government announced £180 million funding for the development of alternative aviation fuel in the Net Zero Strategy, which can be seen at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/net-zero-strategy

For more information on the Green Fuels Green Skies competition, view: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/green-fuels-green-skies-gfgs-competition