TOURISM & AVIATION SECTORS WELCOME FIRST-EVER JET ZERO COUNCIL TO HELP DECARBONISE INDUSTRY BY 2050

Australia’s aviation sector is a step closer to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 with the establishment of the country’s first-ever Jet Zero Council, the Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF) Australia said today.

TTF CEO Margy Osmond welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement, as a key milestone in helping to grow a local Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) sector in Australia.

“The Jet Zero Council is now in place. This is a vital first step to bringing together leaders across the aviation sector and its suppliers, to tackle the immense challenge of transitioning to net zero emissions,” Ms Osmond said.

“To have any hope of meeting our 2050 target, we must work together as an industry to develop Sustainable Aviation Fuel. At the moment, none is being commercially produced in Australia so we must seize the opportunity to grow a SAF industry locally.”

“By becoming a sustainable fuel powerhouse, Australia would create thousands of new jobs in regional areas and help diversify our economy whilst building a cleaner future.”

TTF also welcomed the announcement $30 million worth of new grants will be available to help fast track the development of a local SAF industry.

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) will open applications from mid-July, seeking engineering studies or pilot programs across the supply chain to help transform agricultural feedstocks into Sustainable Aviation Fuel.

Ms Osmond said it’s a worthy investment in Australia’s future.

“These new grants are a great start and we’re thankful for the Federal Government’s support. We need to invest now to develop the skills and technology needed to lay the foundations for local SAF production,” she said.

“The Jet Zero Council will be the guiding force in helping inform new government policies to transition the aviation sector towards sustainability.”

“We welcome the selection of prominent industry figures on the Council’s panel, who are now tasked with an ambitious, but essential terms of reference to help the industry achieve net zero.”

Media contact: Olivia Leeming | oleeming@ttf.org.au