‘Sky is the limit’ for London to achieve sustainable aviation, says latest report

In the latest report on sustainable aviation, the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has called on the Government to accelerate and prioritise the transition to clean jet fuels to remain globally competitive.

The report titled ‘Green Skies’, which has been launched today, highlights the urgency to expedite the plans for developing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) plants in the UK. This includes working with aviation industry experts and public bodies to rapidly upscale domestic production of SAF to avoid becoming a net importer of SAF fuels.

SAF will be the primary way to reduce aircraft carbon emissions, as they currently present the only viable solution for long-haul flights and for short haul flights for the foreseeable future. LCCI believes that Contracts for Difference could help to unlock the next wave of investment into SAF.

Therefore, through the report, the chamber urges the Department for Transport and HM Treasury to work together on implementing a scheme that protects passengers from higher costs.

London’s global status relies on a significant flow of visitors who add immense value to the capital’s cultural and economic prosperity. The number of inbound tourists to the UK totalled 21.6m in the first three quarters of 2022. The profitability and indispensability of the London aviation sector cannot be ignored from a sustainability point of view.

The report highlighted that around four in five London business leaders surveyed agree that air connectivity is important to London’s global competitiveness (83 per cent), international trade (82 per cent), the London economy overall (82 per cent) and building and maintaining international business connections (79 per cent).

James Watkins, head of policy and public impact at London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, commented: “Sustainable aviation fuel is the fuel of the future and London must catch-up quickly with global trends to become a key player.

“If London is to lead on green aviation, then Government and the Mayor of London must work together to support the capital’s pivotal role in reducing the industry’s carbon emissions.

“This means inculcating the advice of industry experts and public bodies and introducing a Contracts for Difference scheme for Sustainable Aviation Fuels, to provide price stability to the market and support inward investment into a domestic SAF industry.

“The risks of the UK missing out on developing a domestic SAF industry are significant and would lead to a far greater reliance on SAF imports in the future.”

By Matthew Neville – Senior Correspondent, Bdaily

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