In its discussion paper, Fuelling the Future (released on july 16th at the Farnborough Air Show), the unique industry coalition set out its views on the vital and increasing role of sustainable fuels in significantly reducing UK aviation’s carbon emissions.
It also detailed the contribution a rapidly increasing fuels market could make to the economy, which it estimates could be as high as £480m with up to 12 new plants producing sustainable fuels.
At the press briefing, chair of SA, Jonathon Counsell, commented that SA’s initial CO2 Road Map (released in 2008) projected that UK aviation could reduce its carbon emissions by nine per cent by 2030, but that number doubled to 18 per cent following a 2012 revision.
“The increase was largely driven by industry activity during the intervening four years, for example the 1,500 test flights powered by sustainable fuels,” he said.
Counsell stressed that sustainable fuels were a “priority focus” for SA in 2014 and that the time to time to act is now. With the sustainable market a developing new industry, he confirmed that the next 10-15 years would offer the maximum level of investment risk; but that the rewards could be even greater.
“From recycling waste materials and gases to jet fuel, to the early stage development of algal oils for transportation fuels, the potential for the UK to become a centre of excellence for sustainable fuels is considerable,” he added.
“This potential can only be achieved if the UK government takes steps to actively support the development of new technology, ensures a level playing field and provides a clear framework to stimulate production and investment in sustainable aviation fuels.”
Parallel to the discussion paper, SA commissioned independent sustainable energy consultancy, E4tech to publish its report, Sustainable Fuels: Potential for the UK Aviation Industry.
The report confirms SA’s projections that an 18 per cent reduction in CO2 from UK aviation by 2050 through sustainable fuels is achievable, if the right policies are introduced.
Reducing GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions from aviation is critical to meeting long-term de-carbonisation targets, such as those set out by IATA, said Director of E4teach, Dr Ausilio Bauen.
“Low carbon fuels from biomass or waste carbon streams are essential to achieving emissions reductions. Many options exist for producing low carbon aviation fuels, some commercial today, others close to commercialisation and more at the R&D stage.
“The transition to using these fuels can and would need to start today for them to play any significant role between 2030 and 2050,” Bauen concluded.
Fonte: AFM.AERO
16/07/2014
