Sustainable Aerospace Hub

The UK aerospace industry is vital in the movement of goods and connecting people to parts of the world to experience different cultures. However global aviation contributes around 3-5% of the total warming effect and approximately 2% to global human-made carbon dioxide emissions.

The industry recognises its responsibility to reduce the impact of aviation on the climate and has committed to achieve Net Zero CO2 emissions by 2050, with green technology and innovation a key part of this.

This sustainable aerospace hub aims to outline the challenge ahead and how Government and industry are responding, such as through initiatives like Rolls-Royce’s REINSTATE project and Airbus’ ZeroE concept aircraft and the development of sustainable aviation fuels.

Keep informed on the latest information and resources by coming back to the hub regularly.

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Investment in R&D to address Net Zero challenge

Our world leading manufacturers are investing heavily in R&D to develop cleaner, more efficient aircraft technologies to tackle climate change.

In June 2020, the UK Prime Minister set a challenge for the UK aerospace sector to produce the world’s first zero emission long-haul passenger aircraft.

In July, the Government announced a £400m co-funded initiative between Government and industry, delivered through the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) programme, to enable ambitious green projects to get off the ground.

Investment in aerospace and  innovation will turbocharge disruptive technology development, create highly skilled, high-value jobs and build a path to recovery for a devastated aerospace industry resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Delivering on the UK’s Jet Zero ambitions, by doubling funding for the Aerospace Technology Institute and investing in sustainable aviation fuels is one of our five essential priorities for recovery.

Jet Zero Council to deliver carbon-free flight

The Jet Zero Council (JZC) is a partnership between industry and government to bring together ministers and CEOs to drive the ambitious delivery of new technologies and innovative ways to cut aviation emissions. Find out more

ADS response to the climate change challenge

ADS membership consists of a significant number of businesses in the aerospace sector and we represent their values and needs when talking to government. We also have specialist groups focused on this subject including Sustainable Aerospace Board and Aerospace 4.0 special interest group.

In February 2020, ADS as part of a joint group representing airlines, airports, and aerospace manufacturers committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. This Decarbonisation roadmap published by Sustainable Aviation, sets out how we will achieve this goal. We are working with Government to support its net zero commercial flight through:

  1. Investment in current aircraft and engine designs in a relentless pursuit of fuel efficiency improvement and CO2 reduction.
  2. Increase use of sustainable, alternative aviation fuels to deliver significant emission reductions over both the short and long-term.
  3. Radical and disruptive third generation new aircraft and propulsion technologies to move into the age of zero-emission flight, exploring the power of hydrogen and electricity.