Sustainable skies: Aviation firm produces jet fuel entirely from human excreta

In a groundbreaking development, a Gloucestershire-based aviation firm has successfully produced jet fuel entirely from human excreta. This innovative approach, spearheaded by Firefly Green Fuels, presents a sustainable and low-carbon alternative to traditional jet fuels.

James Hygate, the CEO of Firefly Green Fuels, shared with the BBC the rationale behind using human waste as a feedstock. The team identified human excreta as a readily available and low-cost resource, ideal for conversion into an environmentally-friendly jet fuel.

The fuel’s similarity to conventional fossil jet fuel was confirmed by independent tests conducted by international aviation regulators, marking it as a credible substitute in the aviation fuel market.

A collaborative study with Cranfield University on the life cycle carbon impact of this fuel revealed a remarkable 90 per cent reduction in carbon footprint compared to traditional jet fuel. Hygate highlighted that unlike fossil-based kerosene, Firefly’s jet fuel is completely free of fossil carbon, despite its chemical resemblance, making it a genuinely fossil-free option that supports the shift towards cleaner energy sources.

Given that aviation accounts for around two percent of global carbon emissions, finding sustainable alternatives is a priority. The industry faces significant hurdles in its path to decarbonization, leading to a worldwide effort to identify and implement eco-friendly fuel solutions.

While the development of electric and hydrogen-electric powered aircraft is progressing, a full-scale shift in the aviation industry to these technologies is expected to be a long-term process. Until then, the focus remains on finding and adopting greener methods of producing kerosene, like Firefly’s initiative, to mitigate the environmental impact of air travel.