Aviation and Maritime in the Netherlands 2023
In March 2023, Innovate UK sent a Global Expert Mission (GEM) to the Netherlands, where delegates from the UK’s aviation and maritime sectors met with key Dutch stakeholders to share their innovations and achievements and find collaborative pathways towards a decarbonised future.
Abstract from outcome report:
Aviation is responsible for around 2.5% of global CO2 emissions, and increasing demand for flying is accelerating this. Without action, the International Civil Aviation Organization predicts that by 2050 international aviation emissions could rise more than 300% from 2005 levels. This has pushed many international aviation organisations to push for net-zero aviation emissions by 2050. The maritime sector is pivotal to the movement of goods – 90% of global trade is transported by sea. The industry contributes to almost 3% of CO2 emissions every year. The World Economic Forum suggests that if the maritime industry were a country, it would be the sixth largest carbon emitter. To achieve the Paris Agreement’s 1.5 degrees Celsius target, the UNFCCC estimates that zero-emission fuels must make up 5% of international shipping fuels by 2030.
Latest developments
Discussions between the UK and the Netherlands have continued post-Mission. These have led to the following collaborative activities:
- A UK/NL green shipping seminar during London International Shipping Week.
- The launch of the £1.5 million International Green Corridor Fund, which will fund feasibility studies examining green maritime corridor routes between the UK and international partner countries, including the Netherlands.
The UK’s association to Horizon Europe will be of interest to UK and Dutch stakeholders. A webinar on UK association and the support available for UK organisations was held on 14 September. The forthcoming Information Day and Brokerage event on maritime funding provides an opportunity for UK organisations to learn more about the maritime R&D priorities and to meet potential partners. The event takes place in London on 31 October.
About Global Expert Missions
The Global Expert Missions (GEM) programme is funded by Innovate UK and designed to build international collaborations with governments, societies, enterprises, institutions, and people from every corner of the globe. With global challenges requiring international perspectives, the programme aims to support the UK government’s ambition to be the international partner of choice and a global hub for innovation by 2035.