Parliamentarians gather to discuss aviation sector decarbonisation

Parliamentarians gathered recently to re-form the Electric Aviation All-Party Parliamentary Group, which will champion the development, testing, demonstration and commercialisation of hydrogen electric propulsion systems.

The only All-Party Parliamentary Group to focus solely on zero-emissions aircraft, it aims to connect MPs and Peers with innovators in industry who are working to make true-zero aviation a reality.

The Group is chaired by Sir Paul Beresford MP, who was joined by five Parliamentary colleagues in late March to formally constitute the group. Among those elected to be a Vice Chair of the Group are Lord Kirkhope of Harrogate, former Leader of the Conservatives in the European Parliament, and Clive Betts MP, Chair of the Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities Select Committee.

During the meeting, the Group was briefed by Kamran Iqbal, Founder and CEO of Electric Aviation Group, on the company’s vision to develop the key enabling technologies which form the building blocks for hydrogen fuel cell powertrain to decarbonising the aviation sector. Questions from parliamentarians focused on how joined-up the sector currently is, what other applications there are for the technologies being developed, and what kinds of policies the sector needs from Government to expedite the innovation.

The Group agreed a workplan including a meeting with Baroness Vere of Norbiton, Aviation Minister, and Mike Kane MP, Shadow Aviation Minister, to provide updates on both the Government’s and Opposition’s plans to decarbonise the aviation industry. The Group also agreed to engage with the wider industry and academics who are producing cutting edge research to develop the next generation of hydrogen-powered aircraft.

Kamran Iqbal, Founder and CEO of Electric Aviation Group, said: “The Electric Aviation All-Party Parliamentary Group provides a vital forum for MPs and Peers to engage with those working to make true-zero aviation a reality, as the only APPG focused exclusively on zero-emission aircraft. I was pleased that those at the meeting were genuinely curious about Electric Aviation Group’s work and understand the scale of the challenge to decarbonise the aviation sector.

“Too often the conversation around decarbonising the aviation sector focuses on reducing emissions rather than eliminating them entirely. I look forward to continuing to engage with the group as it grows in members and brings more voices from industry into Parliament.”

Sir Paul Beresford MP, Chair of the Electric Aviation All-Party Parliamentary Group, said: “It is a pleasure to be elected Chair of the Electric Aviation All-Party Parliamentary Group. To achieve the Government’s ambition of net-zero aviation by 2050, it is crucial that Parliament understands the industry that is working to develop the next generation of aircraft. The Electric Aviation All-Party Parliamentary Group aims to do just this, by bringing together Parliamentarians, industry, and academics to participate in an open forum on zero-emissions electric aircraft.”

https://electricaviationgroup.com