Jet Zero Council Takes Off

Emma Gilthorpe has been appointed CEO of the Government’s Jet Zero Council.  She is also chief operating officer (COO) at Heathrow Airport.

Jet Zero Council is a partnership between government and industry to push the UK Government’s net zero-emission ambitions for the aviation and aerospace sector, with a focus on sustainable aviation fuels. Amongst its members are the Civil Aviation Authority, Airbus, British Airways, easyJet, Rolls-Royce, Virgin Atlantic and Heathrow Airport, with representation from the Royal Air Force.

Emma became Heathrow COO in March 2020 having led a wide variety of teams since joining the airport in September 2009. Initially as regulatory director she has also led the Strategy, Sustainability and Capital Project delivery teams. Most recently Emma established and led Heathrow’s expansion programme which created and campaigned for a sustainable and affordable 30-year masterplan. Emma previously worked in the telecommunications sector as BT Plc's group director of industry policy and regulation. Her career has been built in the regulated infrastructure sector, both listed and private and as the incumbent and competitor. Emma is an independent non-executive at Signature Aviation Plc and is a qualified barrister.

The whole focus of the Jet Zero initiative is to justify its title.  In order to launch the programme the Government has introduced a £15m competition to reduce aviation emissions with fuel made from household waste. 

Transport secretary, Grant Shapps, emphasised the importance of the scheme which is part of the Government’s ten-point plan for a green industrial evolution.

“As the aviation sector emerges out of the pandemic and looks towards recovery over the coming months, we must put our environmental commitments at the centre of everything we do – so not only do we build back better, we also build back greener.

“That’s why we’re stepping up our work on the Council, recruiting new members and launching pioneering efforts to ensure that we continue to lead the world by example and deliver on our ambitious net-zero targets."

See also BTN 28 September 2020  

www.gov.uk/government/groups/jet-zero-council

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