As the government pursues both airport expansion and the development of greener aviation technologies, the panel examined how the sector can decarbonise while continuing to support connectivity, productivity and regional development. Participants also considered the challenges associated with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), infrastructure investment and the need for a more integrated policy framework.
Key contributors:
The roundtable examined the opportunities and trade-offs facing the UK aviation sector as it navigates ESG frameworks and the transition to net zero. Participants highlighted the growing tension between ambitious airport expansion plans and the practical challenges of reducing aviation emissions, while the economic case for continued expansion remains contested. Discussions also focused on the limitations of relying solely on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), with participants arguing that feedstock constraints and investment barriers mean it must form part of a broader decarbonisation strategy alongside efficiency improvements, greenhouse gas removals and the development of future technologies. The conversation also explored the importance of creating investable policy frameworks, with greater revenue certainty and public-private partnership (PPP) models needed to unlock capital for emerging technologies.
