G7 leaders were urged to reduce aviation emissions by collectively committing to mandates for the use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) at session hosted in Cornwall on Friday by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. Heathrow CEO John Holland-Kaye pressed the leaders of the G7 to agree in its summit communique escalating mandates for 10% SAF by 2030, growing to at least 50% by 2050, as well as the kinds of price incentive mechanisms that have been used to support demand and kick start other low carbon sectors.
“We all agree that stopping climate change is the biggest challenge facing our planet,” said Holland-Kaye. “The G7 has already shown leadership by agreeing a global minimum corporate tax, and if we can tap into that collective spirit to collectively commit to a mandate for at least 10% use of sustainable aviation fuel by 2030 and the right price incentives to use it, we will ensure our children can have the benefits of flying without the carbon cost. Aviation is a force for good and we cannot wait for someone else to solve this problem at some point in the future – we have the tools to do it today, the collective spirit is here now and I urge G7 leaders to take concrete action now.”
Heathrow has recently incorporated the first shipment of SAF into its fuel supply system, and all of the airport’s infrastructure runs on 100% renewable electricity, with plans underway to switch away from gas heating at the airport by the mid-2030s, becoming fully zero carbon. Heathrow has also restored 95 acres of UK peatlands which were emitting carbon and are now starting to act as a carbon sink. Heathrow’s Director of Carbon Strategy, Matthew Gorman, has led its carbon and sustainability team over the last decade and has been recognised for services to Decarbonisation of Aviation with an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.