Heathrow’s Third Runway: A Green Light for Common Sense… and Hemp?
The decision’s been made. Heathrow is getting its third runway.
And while some will keep arguing, here’s a fact: keeping planes circling above Suffolk, Oxford, and Brighton in endless holding patterns is an environmental and economic disaster. It’s a waste of fuel, a drain on airline profits, and a needless source of emissions. More runway space means more efficiency, less waste, and lower emissions.
So now what?
This should be a wake-up call. If the UK is serious about decarbonising aviation, we need action — not just talk. The industry has already agreed that biofuels are the best near-term solution. They work with existing engines, require no major infrastructure changes, and, according to the International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), can slash lifecycle emissions by up to 80% compared to fossil jet fuels.
And industrial hemp should be a key part of that solution.
Hemp can produce high-yield biofuels with minimal land, water, and fertiliser, making it one of the most sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) sources available. It sequesters up to 15 tonnes of CO2 per hectare annually, making it carbon-negative before it even enters a jet engine. Yet, outdated regulations and a lack of government-backed carbon credit schemes are blocking investment in this critical industry.
The UK has the farmers, technology, and industrial capacity to lead on hemp-based aviation fuels. We just don’t have the political will.
So here’s the challenge: the third runway is coming. That decision has been made. Now, let’s stop the endless political posturing and make it work for both the economy and the environment.
The policies needed to enable hemp-based SAF aren’t radical. They are common sense. But inaction is costing the UK jobs, tax revenue, and climate progress.
The private sector is ready. The technology exists. Now it’s time for government to step up, clear the roadblocks, and get out of the way.
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