The Jet Zero Council met at Cranfield University today [Thursday 18 April] to discuss steps towards sustainable aviation with a special focus on hydrogen.
The Jet Zero Council is a partnership between industry, academia and government to drive the delivery of new technologies and innovative ways to cut aviation emissions. The Council is also a key group involved in delivering the Jet Zero Strategy, which set a target of net zero aviation by 2050.
The Rt Hon Mark Harper MP, Secretary of State for Transport, The Hon Anthony Browne MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Decarbonisation and Technology) Department for Transport, and The Hon Amanda Solloway MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Affordability and Skills, Department for Energy, Security and Net Zero attended the meeting alongside government advisers, regulators and industry leaders.
Members of the Jet Zero Council convened in the Aerospace Integration Research Centre, then had a tour of Cranfield’s hydrogen facilities, learning more about the University’s Hydrogen Integration Incubator. This £69 million investment will be helping to demonstrate the potential of hydrogen as a net zero aviation fuel, connecting and expanding existing facilities to create the first large-scale hydrogen research hub at any UK airport.
Aviation minister Anthony Browne said: “Today’s Jet Zero Council showcased the Government and industry’s shared commitment to reaching net zero and harnessing the full potential of hydrogen in the pursuit of clean flying.
“Cranfield’s new research hub is exactly what makes our aviation industry world leading – pushing boundaries of what’s possible and using research and collaboration to transform the way we fly.”
Chief Executive and Vice-Chancellor of Cranfield University, Professor Karen Holford CBE FREng commented: “It was an honour to host the Jet Zero Council today at Cranfield. With our global research airport and recent announcement of a huge investment into hydrogen research, I can’t think of a more suitable place to discuss the role hydrogen has to play in decarbonising aviation.
“The new Cranfield Hydrogen Integration Incubator will unlock the technical challenges around hydrogen in aviation, bringing together industry, academia, government and regulators. It’s something that will provide the blueprint for a future net zero airport and help the UK realise ambitions of zero carbon flight. It was a pleasure to show members of the Jet Zero Council our facilities and outline the role we have to play in delivering net zero aviation.”
