The Airport Operator - Autumn 2024
06 September 2024
Neil Robinson, MAG’s Chief Sustainability Officer and new Chair of Sustainable Aviation, outlines his views on where the industry coalition should go next
It has been clear to me, just over the past few weeks, that the Sustainable Aviation coalition has a key role to play in the sector’s efforts to meet its net zero commitments over next few years. We seem to be moving from a period of discussion and development into one of delivery and upscaling as the new Government commits to continuing the policies of its predecessors, in terms of developing ways to fly sustainably.
It is a testament to the work of the coalition that Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) enjoyed a prominent mention in the King’s Speech, as ministers confirmed the details of the incoming mandate and stated that a bill legislating for a revenue certainty mechanism would be introduced. These two measures have been key priorities for Sustainable Aviation, and I was delighted to see the new Government take onboard our arguments about their necessity in order to move forward.
The economic prize for the UK of leading aviation’s transition to a sustainable future is certainly one worth reaching out for. As well as securing aviation’s role connecting the UK to the global economy, facilitating trade, investment, and personal travel, our plan for a net zero sector could generate up to 60,000 new jobs in a UK sustainable aviation fuel industry, and increase UK aerospace’s economic contribution from £8.4bn today to over £37bn by 2050.