Emirates joins forces with UK in sustainable aviation push

Emirates has taken another key step to demonstrate its commitment to sustainable aviation.

The UAE-based national carrier became the first airline to join UK’s The Solent Cluster, an initiative dedicated to low-carbon investments. The body aims to reduce CO₂ emissions from industry, transport and households set in the South Coast of England.

The Solent Cluster has 100 members including international organisations, including manufacturers and engineering companies, regional businesses and industries, leading logistics and infrastructure operators and academic institutions.

Dr Lindsay-Marie Armstrong, associate professor of mechanical engineering and academic cluster lead for the Solent Industrial Decarbonisation Cluster at University of Southampton, said: “The Solent is recognised as one of the leading contributors of CO₂ emissions from energy-intensive manufacturing processes every year. The formation of a decarbonisation cluster that spans the public, private and higher education sectors is a monumental step forward for the region.

“It will introduce sustainable fuels for local transportation, aviation and shipping sectors; create low-carbon energy to heat homes, businesses and public buildings; and open up new highly skilled jobs opportunities. This can only be achieved by working together as a community, covering all sectors and ultimately working with the same desire to achieve a low-carbon economic future for the Solent region.”

Emirates joins founding members such as Solent Partners (previously the Solent LEP), global energy provider ExxonMobil and the University of Southampton.

Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates, said: “The Cluster has strong potential to power clean energy innovation and production and is another step forward in our journey towards long-term SAF adoption within our network. Alongside our fellow members, we look forward to contributing towards these efforts, while also seeing The Solent Cluster’s positive impact on the local economy, Southeast region, and wider industries.”

Potential to produce ‘green’ aviation fuel

The Solent Cluster has the potential to create a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) plant with an estimated fuel production capacity of 200,000 tonnes (200 kt) per year.

If approved, the plant could start operating in 2032.

Jet fuel produced by the SAF plant could avoid emissions of 563 kilotonnes of CO₂ per year by producing fuel with 70 per cent lesser emissions than fossil kerosene.

Existing pipeline networks can supply the SAF from the plant to major airports such as Heathrow and Gatwick, which Emirates operates to.

We have signed on as the first international airline to join The Solent Cluster, a UK initiative focused on low carbon investments with potential plans for SAF production in the future. https://t.co/E6itungNWr pic.twitter.com/r9Q2kndumv

— Emirates (@emirates) January 30, 2024

How Emirates is committed to the use of SAF

In May last year, Emirates committed $200m to fund research and development (R&D) projects focussed on reducing the impact of fossil fuels in commercial aviation.

This is the biggest single commitment by any airline to sustainability, with funds to be disbursed over three years.

In 2023, Emirates’ A380 and Boeing 777 also flew demonstration flights using 100 per cent SAF.

The airline also expanded its partnership with Neste for the supply of SAF in 2024 and 2025 for its operations in Amsterdam and Singapore.

It uplifted SAF for the first time at its hub in Dubai for commercial flights in October last year.