Dubai-based carrier Emirates has kicked off a USD 200 mn research and development (R&D) fund aimed at cutting emissions in commercial aviation, according to a statement released last Thursday. The funds — which will not include investments in sustainable aviation fuel offtakes or carbon credits — will be earmarked for research accelerating the adoption of sustainable fuels and other energy solutions for the aviation sector, and will be disbursed over three years, according to Emirates.

REMEMBER- Emirates airways has been investing in SAF: Emirates Airways partnered with Masdar, Adnoc, and Tadweer on a joint feasibility study with BP on the production of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) using solid waste and renewables-sourced hydrogen back in January. The study will also explore the possibility of producing other products including renewable diesel and naphtha. Based on the results of the study, the companies could potentially set up the region’s first commercial-scale SAF production facility in Abu Dhabi. Emirates also successfully completed ground engine testing using 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) that month, demonstrating that the low-carbon fuel does not require special technical support or changes to the aircraft’s engine.

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Adnoc signed an agreement with US-based energy solutions company Baker Hughes that will see it leverage Hughes’ green hydrogen tech, according to a statement released last week. The agreement will pave the way for Adnoc to use growth stage technologies — including electrolyzers, tech converting methane into hydrogen, and graphene production tech — developed by Hughes in cooperation with climate-tech company Levidian, hydrogen tech platform Ekona Power, and hydrogen tech developer Nemesys.

DID YOU KNOW? Graphene electrodes can break down water molecules, splitting them into oxygen and hydrogen and providing efficient catalysts for green fuels production, according to University of Manchester research.

OTHER STORIES WORTH KNOWING ABOUT THIS MORNING-

• Chinese power generation company Sineng Electric has signed an agreement with India’s Larsen & Toubro (L&T) to provide turnkey solar panel inverter stations for L&T’s 700 MW solar plant in Saudi Arabia. (Zawya)
• Adnoc launched its USD 1 mn Decarbonization Technology Challenge inviting scale-up companies specializing in CCUS, new energies, oil and gas emissions reduction, digital applications and advanced materials for decarbonization to apply. Finalists will receive up to USD 1 mn in piloting opportunities with Adnoc. (Statement)
• Morocco is earmarking MAD 200 mn (c. USD 22 mn) to upscale its wildfire prevention and mitigation capacity amid a heightened risk of forest fires caused by climate change. (Morocco World News)