Next Friday (11 June) sees the start of the G7 Summit at the Carbis Bay (eco) Hotel near St Ives in Cornwall.
(See BTN 27 January). 

Sustainable aviation is likely to be amongst the topics discussed although this will gain a higher profile later in the year at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow 1–12 November.

With these events in mind Heathrow has confirmed an agreement with Vitol Aviation and Neste, to become the first UK major airport to successfully integrate sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) into its fuel distribution, effective last week.

Parmjit Dhanda, Executive Director, Back Heathrow, said: “For the first time today sustainable aviation fuel made from renewable waste – like used cooking oil and animal fat – will be incorporated into fuel for jet planes at a major British airport. This is a first for the UK and we hope other airports will follow Heathrow’s example and help lead the way to net zero carbon emissions by 2050.”

The supply, equivalent for fuel needed to power between 5–10 short-haul flights, aims to serve as proof of concept to enable much greater use of SAF going forward.

Achieving this milestone is a critical first step in demonstrating to government that the technology will work in reducing carbon from aviation so long as the correct policy framework to incentivise take-up at scale is achieved.

Vitol Aviation’s expertise in the specialist handling of jet fuel will be combined with Neste’s market-leading SAF production capabilities. Neste MY SAF is produced 100% from renewable and sustainable waste and residue raw materials. Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel in its neat form and over the life cycle, reduces up to 80% of greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil jet fuel use.

Following the G7 Conference, the Aviation Club of the United Kingdom is hosting a webinar taking place Wednesday 16 June 13:00).  The speaker will be Emma Gilthorpe, Chief Operating Officer, Heathrow Airport, who in March was appointed CEO of the Government’s Jet Zero Council.  Gilthorpe may well be in a position to comment on the G7 and any discussions published to do with climate change and sustainable aviation.  See BTN 31 May – Aviation Club.