£350m plan to encourage green revival and zero-emission planes
THE GOVERNMENT is set to pump £350m into industries in the UK to cut carbon emissions and help fuel a “green recovery” from the coronavirus pandemic.
The funding for a host of sectors comes as Prime Minister Boris Johnson launches the first meeting of the Jet Zero Council today, bringing together the Government, representatives from the environmental sector and the aviation and aerospace industry, to tackle aviation emissions.
The move is aimed at helping achieve the Government’s ambition to design the first zero emission long haul passenger plane.
Ahead of the first meeting, the Government pledged the multi-million pound investment, including a share for a project based in Halifax working to reduce costs and energy usage in construction by producing large, factory-made components for buildings, including whole roofs
and walls, away from the construction site.
Transport Secretary and Northern Powerhouse Minister Grant Shapps, who will co-chair the Jet Zero Council with Business Secretary Alok Sharma, said: “Climate change is one of the greatest challenges we face today, and tackling it will require action from everybody.
“This is why we’re bringing together Government, businesses and investors in a ground breaking new partnership. The Jet Zero Council is a huge step forward in making change.
“As we push forward with innovative technologies such as sustainable fuels and eventually fully electric planes, we will achieve guilt-free flying and boost sustainability for years to come.”
The projects set to receive funding will work on developing technologies which could help companies switch to more energy-efficient means of production, use data more effectively to tackle the impacts of climate change, and help support the creation of new green jobs by driving innovation and growth in industries.
Mr Johnson added: “We’ve made great strides towards our net zero target over the last year.
“But it’s more important than ever that we keep up the pace of change to fuel a green, sustainable recovery as we rebuild from the pandemic.”