UK Revamps Jet Zero Taskforce to Lead in Sustainable Aviation
London – The UK government has introduced the Jet Zero Taskforce, a revitalized initiative aimed at advancing sustainable aviation. Announced by Secretary of State for Transport Louise Haigh, the Taskforce is set to drive progress on decarbonizing air travel, scaling Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production, and fostering economic growth through innovation.
The Taskforce will build on the work of the Jet Zero Council with a new structure, including annual CEO-level meetings to set priorities and track progress. Members include key figures from government, airlines like easyJet and Virgin Atlantic, airports such as Heathrow and Manchester, fuel producers, trade bodies, and leading academic institutions. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, the group aims to address every aspect of the aviation sector’s environmental impact, from SAF production to reducing the effects of contrails.
The SAF Mandate, which became law last week, requires airlines to increase SAF use incrementally, culminating in 22% of jet fuel being sustainable by 2040. Starting in January 2025, airlines must incorporate SAF from sources like power-to-liquid technologies and household waste conversion. Louise Haigh emphasized the importance of collaboration, saying: “We need to make flying a cleaner, greener experience, and the new and improved Jet Zero Taskforce will be the driving force behind this transition.”
Tim Alderslade, CEO of Airlines UK, highlighted the opportunities this presents for the UK aviation sector: “The UK can lead the way in net zero aviation… Collaboration with government and across the whole sector is vital to making the rapid progress we need.”
The Taskforce’s goals extend beyond emissions reductions to unlocking economic potential. Karen Dee, Chief Executive of AirportsUK, noted that sustainable aviation is set to create new industries, jobs, and growth opportunities while reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Meanwhile, the government is also investing £450,000 to assist developing countries in decarbonizing aviation, including supporting SAF policy development and financing solutions.
A smaller Expert Group under the Taskforce will tackle specific barriers to decarbonization. Co-chaired by Mike Kane MP and Holly Boyd-Boland of Virgin Atlantic, the group will focus on actionable priorities to accelerate progress. Boyd-Boland remarked: “Decarbonizing our sector requires radical collaboration… Together, we can harness the ambition across industry to achieve net zero 2050.”
“The UK is positioned well to take advantage of the entirely new sectors that sustainable aviation will create.” – Karen Dee, CEO, AirportsUK
With the UK committing to an 81% reduction in aviation emissions by 2035, the Jet Zero Taskforce is poised to align aviation’s transformation with the government’s broader clean energy and economic goals. As SAF production and zero-emissions technologies advance, the Taskforce aims to position the UK as a global leader in sustainable aviation.
