Aviation consultant Rachel Gardner-Poole believes it will be a “challenge” for the UK to hit a 2030 mandate on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
In April, the Conservative government unveiled a target for 10% of all jet fuel in flights taking off from the UK to come from SAF by 2030, a target subsequently confirmed by the new Labour government.
Gardner-Poole, a member of the Jet Zero Council founded by Boris Johnson, said she was uncertain whether the goal would be met.
Asked whether the 10% target would be achieved by 2030, she said: “I don’t know. I think it’s a challenge. I think the aviation industry as a whole would see that as a challenge.”
She urged delegates at Travel Weekly’s Sustainability Summit in London and the wider aviation industry to rally around the ambition to hit net-zero emissions by 2050 and highlighted the need for collaboration.
“We have the tools, the talent and the determination to achieve net zero,” she said. “I urge you to think about how you can contribute.”
She added: “Together we can redefine aviation and leave a legacy of sustainability for generations to come.”
Asked whether she believed the UK would meet its target of having five SAF plants under construction by 2025, given only two are currently being built, she suggested there was still a prospect of success.
“There might be five under construction by next year,” she said.
Asked for her prediction on progress by 2030, she said: “I’m ever the optimist, so I would definitely say SAF plants will be operating in the UK by then.”
She added that while she has concerns about the current rate of SAF production, she supports the SAF mandate and the proposed revenue certainty mechanism.
In addition to SAF, she highlighted other steps that are likely to be important in reducing the environmental impact of the aviation industry.
Airlines and airports have an important role in making their operations and infrastructure more efficient, she said, while technological advancements with aircraft would also play a major part.
She also outlined the potential of carbon removal technology and noted ongoing work on contrails.
In reference to hydrogen-powered and electric aircraft, she said: “This is really exciting for the future, but there are challenges. I don’t think it’s the advancement of technology that’s going to stop us. I think it’s more things like investment and getting investors to invest in this new technology.”
Gardner-Poole is director of Aviascia, which aims to help “lead the transformation to sustainable aviation”.
Picture: Steve Dunlop Photography