Johnson invests in sky high goal of zero-emission jet

BRITAIN is in the race to create the world’s first zero-emission plane, as Boris Johnson pledges to make flying guilt-free.

The Prime Minister will convene the first meeting of the Jet Zero Council today, which will work to create the first net zero long-haul passenger flights and tackle aviation emissions.

It comes as the Government invests £350million in cutting emissions and decarbonising construction, space and transport industries.

Mr Johnson said: “The UK has a huge opportunity to cement its place at the vanguard of green innovation, setting an example worldwide while growing the economy and creating new jobs.

“That’s why we’re backing cutting edge research to cut costs and carbon across our great British industries, and even paving the way for the first ever zero-emission long-haul passenger flight – so that our green ambitions remain sky-high as we build back better for both our people and our planet.”

The Prime Minister pledged that the investment, in projects ranging from hydrogen power to recyclable steel and clean vehicle technology, will help “fuel a green, sustainable recovery” as the UK rebuilds from the pandemic.

Heavy industry will receive £139million to support the move from using natural gas to hydrogen power and invest in reducing emissions from industrial plants.

There will also be £149 million made available to drive the use of innovative materials in the sector.

The funding also includes a new national space innovation programme, backed by £15 million of initial funding from the UK Space Agency. The first £10 million will go towards projects that monitor global climate change.

Car firms will be able to bid for a further £10million for research and development to help develop prototypes to market – such as more efficient electric motors or more powerful batteries.

Alok Sharma, the Business and Energy Secretary, said: “Climate change is among the greatest challenges of our age. We need to unleash innovation in businesses across the country.

“This funding will reduce emissions, create green-collar jobs and fuel a strong, clean economic recovery, all essential to achieving net zero emissions by 2050.”