Flying lab given £61m funding boost so scientists can track environmental change from the skies
BRITISH scientists will take to the skies to research the impacts of climate change and pollution over the next 10 years on Europe’s largest “flying lab”.
The Government has committed £61 million to fund scientists collecting data from remote locations, including the North Sea and volcanoes in Iceland.
Research from the Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements airborne laboratory is expected to track high carbon emissions from shipping, and will assess the impact of new environmental regulations, to help the UK design policy to reach its net-zero goals.
The airborne laboratory, based in the UK, has previously been used to track the source of methane emissions in Africa and the Arctic.
Amanda Solloway, the science minister, said: “Facilities like the airborne laboratory help ensure the UK remains at the forefront of tackling the most enduring threat to our planet while supporting our innovative and brilliant scientific community.”
Research from the flying lab has previously been used to find the sources of vehicle pollution and toxic gases in people’s homes, which led in part to the Government’s clean air strategy.
Alan Woolley, head of the FAAM airborne laboratory, said: “From measuring cloud microphysics to detecting complex chemical species, the aircraft is a highly capable flying laboratory.
“It is capable of operating nearly everywhere in the world, and supports global research initiatives, helping scientists and society to tackle the environmental challenges ahead, including climate change, air pollution and severe weather.”