New UK taskforce launched to replace Jet Zero Council a week after SAF mandate signed into law

The U.K. Department for Transport announced Nov. 25 that it has launched refreshed plans to tackle aviation emissions with a new dynamic group dedicated to advancing sustainable aviation. 

Charting a clear path toward cleaner aviation with a new structure, the Jet Zero Taskforce will serve as the driving force to transform how people fly—aligning with the government’s missions to make the U.K. a clean-energy superpower and kickstart the economy.

It will feature an annual CEO-level meeting chaired by Transport Secretary Louise Haigh to set priorities for the taskforce and review progress.

Members will include Jonathan Reynolds, the U.K.’s business and trade secretary; Ed Miliband, secretary of energy security and net zero; CEOs of major airlines such as easyJet and Virgin, airports like Heathrow and Manchester, as well as fuel producers, trade bodies and leading universities. 

Building on the previous Jet Zero Council, the taskforce will support the production and delivery of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and zero-emission flights, as well as look at how to improve aviation systems to make them more efficient.

It will also explore the sector’s demand for greenhouse-gas removals and the non-CO2 impacts of aviation, such as vapor trails left in the sky, to account for the sector’s overall environmental impact.

The diverse membership has been specifically chosen to represent all corners of the industry, ensuring no stone is left unturned on the journey to sustainable aviation. 

“Climate change is one of the biggest challenges we face, and together with industry, I am determined to build an aviation sector that’s future-ready and better for the planet,” Haigh said. “We need to make flying a cleaner, greener experience and the new and improved Jet Zero Taskforce will be the driving force behind this transition. I look forward to working with all members to deliver meaningful changes that will boost our economy and make the U.K. a global leader in sustainable travel.”

Airlines U.K. CEO Tim Alderslade said, “Collaboration with government and across the whole sector and supply chain is vital to making the rapid progress we need, and we look forward to working with the new taskforce to help usher in a new era of sustainable air travel, with all the jobs and investment that entails.”

Set to meet for the first time Dec. 4, SAF will be high on the agenda.

Being one of the most developed pathways to greener flying, the U.K. government has been clear in its commitment to creating a strong, resilient U.K. SAF industry. 

Earlier this month, the U.K.’s SAF mandate was officially signed into law, requiring an increasing amount of SAF in overall jet fuel from Jan. 1, 2025.

By 2040, 22 percent of all jet fuel must come from sustainable sources, whether from household waste or by using cutting-edge power-to-liquid technology.

Underneath the executive level will be a smaller, focused expert group of sustainability leaders to support the taskforce’s priorities.

By pinpointing key barriers to decarbonization and directing a select number of smaller action groups to tackle these challenges, this level will be crucial to the delivery of the taskforce’s objectives. 

It will be chaired by Mike Kane, the minister for aviation, maritime and security; and Holly Boyd-Boland, the vice president of corporate development at Virgin Atlantic.  

The Nov. 25 launch comes as the department invests up to £450,000 (approximately USD$566,500) to support aviation decarbonization measures in other countries, such as helping developing states develop policy and access financing for SAF, as well as to offset carbon emissions from international flights. 

This follows a new U.K. target to reduce emissions by 81 percent by 2035, set at COP29 in Azerbaijan.

This ambitious and pragmatic target will strengthen the U.K.’s position as a place for investment, delivering jobs and economic growth.