The UK and EU aviation factsheets both provide a comprehensive analysis of the critical role green hydrogen plays in decarbonising the aviation sector. They highlight the potential of green hydrogen to significantly reduce CO2 emissions when used as a fuel, whether through combustion or fuel cell technology. Both factsheets outline the primary alternatives to fossil jet fuel available to the aviation industry: direct electrification, green hydrogen propulsion, and sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs). They discuss the benefits and challenges associated with each option, noting the extensive research and development still required for widespread adoption.

A shared theme in both documents is the acknowledgment of the challenges involved in scaling green hydrogen production. They emphasise that green hydrogen production is energy- and water-intensive and requires significant changes to both aircraft and airport infrastructure, such as new storage and transportation facilities. Both factsheets underscore the importance of strong policy support and regulatory frameworks to drive the adoption of green hydrogen in aviation. They call for coordinated policy actions to ensure investment is directed towards the most effective decarbonisation strategies, stressing the need for cross-departmental collaboration and long-term planning.

Despite these similarities, the factsheets present distinct regional perspectives and priorities. The UK factsheet focuses on the national context, highlighting the country’s leadership in hydrogen propulsion innovation through organisations like Cranfield Aerospace Solutions and ZeroAvia. It aligns with the UK’s levelling-up agenda and discusses the potential for the UK to become a leader in green hydrogen technology. In contrast, the EU factsheet provides a broader European perspective, discussing the role of green hydrogen within the EU’s climate targets under the Paris Agreement and the European Green Deal. It presents a detailed analysis of aviation emissions within the EU and their contribution to overall transport emissions.

The policy landscapes presented in the factsheets also differ. The UK factsheet mentions the government’s commitment to a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) mandate from 2025, aiming for at least 10% of jet fuel to be made from sustainable sources by 2030. It highlights the lack of specific targets for green hydrogen fuels in current mandates and the need for cross-departmental coordination. Meanwhile, the EU factsheet discusses the ReFuel EU Aviation initiative, which sets targets for SAF usage, including synthetic fuels derived from green hydrogen. The factsheet explains the initiative’s goals and its alignment with the broader ‘Fit for 55’ legislative package, aiming to reduce aircraft CO2 emissions by around two-thirds by 2050.

The economic impacts discussed also vary. The UK factsheet projects significant economic benefits from the SAF industry, including substantial contributions to GDP and job creation. It emphasises the UK’s potential for exporting green hydrogen technologies and the economic benefits of becoming a global leader in this field. The EU factsheet, while not providing specific economic projections, discusses the broader economic benefits of green hydrogen adoption across the EU, highlighting job creation and regional economic development.

Lastly, the policy recommendations differ between the factsheets. The UK factsheet recommends ambitious mandates for green hydrogen fuels, cross-departmental coordination, and avoiding investment in transitional fuels that could become stranded assets. It stresses leveraging the UK’s technological edge in hydrogen aircraft. In contrast, the EU factsheet calls for policy coherence across the European Commission, revised targets under ReFuel EU Aviation to better support green hydrogen, and ensuring that aviation legislation supports green hydrogen fuels to prevent negative environmental impacts associated with certain biofuels.

In conclusion, while the UK and EU aviation factsheets share a common goal of promoting green hydrogen as a key solution for decarbonising aviation, they differ in their regional focus, policy contexts, and economic projections. Together, they provide a comprehensive overview of the current state and future potential of green hydrogen in the aviation sector across the UK and the EU.