Independent review of the government’s Net Zero target and what…
In 2019, the UK Government and the devolved administrations committed to the Net Zero target as recommended by the Climate Change Committee. Now Chris Skidmore MP has undertaken a review of the government’s Net Zero plans. It looks at all sectors what progress has been achieved, and what is needed. There are many mentions of aviation, including how the sector will be responsible for an ever larger % of total UK carbon emissions, unless strong measures are taken. The review wants much more investment in so-called “sustainable aviation fuels” (SAF). It says Government should publish the Low Carbon Fuels Strategy in 2023 and the necessary legislation for the sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) mandate to apply from 2025. “Recognising that an adequate price stability mechanism is vital for investments in SAF, government should set out evidence for barriers to SAF investments and options to address this.” And “In particular in the aviation industry, there are currently several projects looking at so-called recycled carbon fuels. To ensure these fuels deliver carbon savings, it will be important to ensure that these adhere to waste hierarchy principles and potential reduction in waste streams is considered. It also calls for an Office for Net Zero delivery for joined-up, cross departmental work and action. .Tweet MISSION ZERO Independent Review of Net Zero Rt Hon Chris Skidmore MP The review is athttps://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1128689/mission-zero-independent-review.pdf A few quotes from it, on aviation: 353. Apart from biomass, other waste sources such as the fossil fraction of mixed waste streams (for example unrecyclable plastics) or waste fossil gas as well as electricity (power-to-liquids) can be used in the production of low carbon fuels other than hydrogen. In particular in the aviation industry, there are currently several projects looking at so-called recycled carbon fuels. To ensure these fuels deliver carbon savings, it will be important to ensure that these adhere to waste hierarchy principles and potential reduction in waste streams is considered. … 617. For heavier, long-distance vehicles as well as maritime and aviation, zero emission technologies are still at an earlier stage of development. These sectors will likely need to rely on a mix of different technologies, including electrification, hydrogen, low carbon fuels as well as maximizing operational efficiencies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. … Delivering on sustainable fuels and zero emission technologies Government to publish the Low Carbon Fuels Strategy in 2023 and the necessary legislation for the sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) mandate to apply from 2025. Recognising that an adequate price stability mechanism is vital for investments in SAF, government to set out evidence for barriers to SAF investments and options to address this. Government to set out options for further legislative steps by 2024 and take a leading role in International Maritime Organization (IMO) negotiations to decarbonise the maritime sector. … 629 . Stakeholders highlighted, for example, that to meet the Government’s ambition to have five sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) plants under construction by 2025 and 10% of all UK jet fuel to be sustainable by 2025, government needs to take further action, most notably “a mandate for fuel producers and the right incentives to close the price gap with kerosene”. … 632. Some stakeholders also highlighted the need to drive operational efficiencies. Taking aviation as an example, Airlines UK highlighted delays linked to infrastructure and airport capacity that force aircrafts to “stack, bunch and circle airport
