Government admits no solution to aviation emissions

Gordon Brown pledged a new "green revolution" last week as he launched the government’s consultation on its new renewable energy strategy. Credit where credit’s due - they do seem to be genuinely considering some bold and innovate ideas for getting renewables off the ground and even electrifying our transport system too. If successful, hitting the UK’s renewables targets alone could lead to massive emission reductions of up to 204 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.

But (and there's always a but)…

Buried on page 175 of the government’s new green strategy documents is this significant admission: “It is estimated that UK energy consumption in aviation (including international) will account for around 11% of our final energy demand in 2020. This document does not however suggest any proposals for the sector, as there are not expected to be safe, commercially viable options for renewable energy in aviation by 2020.”

Next time you hear Richard Branson boasting about his secret mushroom formula to fuel his jets, remember even the aviation industry’s closest bedfellows in government admit he’s talking bullshit. In fact, specifically on biofuels-run aircraft, here’s what the government has to say: “Biofuels are not however currently approved for commercial aviation as there are concerns about supply issues, compatibility challenges and safety risks.”

But in the future?

“Due to a range of technical, safety and economic challenges, it is arguable that both hydrogen from renewables and biofuels would be used either in road transport or electricity generation in preference to aviation.”

Hydrogen and biofuels? Sounds sketchy, right? Yep.

“Hydrogen-fuelled aircraft would require new engines and air frames and are unlikely to be seen for many decades. Nor would aeroplanes fuelled by alternative fuels necessarily have a lower climate impact in relation to those using conventional fuels because of the effects of water vapour and nitrogen oxide at altitude.”

So, in a nutshell, the government admitted there is no alternative fuel for planes for years - and when they do exist, they may not be better for the climate anyway.

But maybe that doesn’t matter if they manage to decarbonise the electricity sector?

Nope, because if airport expansion is approved and aviation growth continues unabated - all the benefits of the £100 billion pound renewables programme will be wiped out. Nice joined up thinking then. Good one, Gordon.