Sarah Champion MP celebrates local investment into sustainable aviation fuel

Sarah Champion, Member of Parliament for Rotherham, welcomes £1.5m investment into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for local researchers based out of the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre in Rotherham.

SAF is an alternative to fossil jet fuel which reduces carbon emissions on average by 70%, according to the Department for Transport. Low carbon fuel production could add up to £5 billion to the economy by 2050 and position the UK as a global hub for SAF production.

The announced funding is part of a £63m funding package shared across UK groups working in SAF, supporting around 1,400 jobs.

Professor Mohamed Pourkashanian, Managing Director of the University of Sheffield’s Energy Innovation Centre, who is leading the project, said:

“It is fantastic to see the University of Sheffield playing a leading role in the development of sustainable aviation fuel and supporting the aviation industry in its efforts to reduce its emissions.”

Champion recently met Professor Pourkashanian to tour the research centre and learn more about how the work taking place could boost the local economy.

“I was delighted to vote in Labour’s SAF Bill earlier this year, knowing the profound local impact it would have. Professor Pourkashanian and his team do incredible, planet-saving work to create green fuel and deliver cleaner flights, all while boosting the local economy. This is the change you get with a Labour Government”

ENDS