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
is 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 sources as opposed to fossil fuels.
Robert Courts, Minister for Aviation, said:
“We all know that there are various technological possibilities for achieving net zero, or Jet
Zero flight as we have termed it in the Jet Zero Council work we have spoken about, but it
is sustainable aviation fuel that is going to be in the shorter and medium term the real way
forward.”
Trudy Harrison, Minister for Green Transport, 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.”
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.
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/netzero-strategy
For more information on the Green Fuels Green Skies competition, view:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/green-fuels-green-skies-gfgs-competition
Contact
Gaynor Hartnell, Chief Executive, RTFA, on 07870 629 575