As a proud founding member of the UN’s Race To Zero global campaign and partner of the We Mean Business coalition, Rolls-Royce has focused on accelerating progress over the past year. importantly, we have submitted our science-based targets to the SBTi. These will anchor our net zero pathway, as we progressively decarbonise our own operations, and work with partners to help decarbonise transport, energy and the built environment.
Like so many at this COP, we are focused on implementation and action, and we’ve made good progress. Over the last year, Rolls-Royce has carried out multiple SAF (sustainable aviation fuel) tests both on the ground and in the air. By the end of 2023, we will have proven that all of our Trent and Business Aviation engines are compatible with 100% drop-in SAF, in readiness for subsequent industry certification and passenger operation. As SAF production scales up, this represents >40% of the global long-haul fleet being compatible with non-fossil fuel energy. We are progressing through the design stages of our small modular nuclear reactor (SMR); a technology that can deliver significant volumes of clean, constant energy whilst simultaneously creating 40,000 green jobs in the UK alone. At COP26 last year we unveiled our first hydrogen fuel cell, with application in power generation, and this summer we announced the start of a comprehensive programme of engine testing and development to accelerate the use of hydrogen in aviation. . Acquiring a majority stake in Hoeller Electrolyzer has propelled forward our work accelerating green hydrogen-powered energy systems, with technology that will form the basis of a new range of mtu electrolyser products in our Power Systems division. These have the potential to replace diesel generators in the built environment, significantly reducing the ~23% of carbon emissions from running buildings.