Farnborough Aerospace Consortium (FAC) has become a member of The Solent Cluster, a cross-sector decarbonisation initiative.

Its aim to is to help reduce CO2 in the region and coincides with the FAC's recent conference theme, which was titled Destination Net Zero.

The aerospace industry has accepted the need for CO2 reduction and millions are pouring into research and development.

FAC represents hundreds of companies in the aerospace, aviation and defence sectors and their supply chains.

It brings smaller companies and multi-nationals together and wins business for its members.

The UK's aerospace sector is centred in the south and south-east and matches the area of the Solent Cluster that wants to see the region lead the way in low carbon fuel production.

The cluster could enable organisations to bid for government investment for projects to decarbonise.

Alan Fisher, chief executive officer of FAC, said: “The Solent Cluster's objectives align with ours and those of our members.

“We heard at our conference the efforts businesses are going to in order to decarbonise, and the success that has already happened.

“In joining the cluster we follow some big names in the industry including Airbus Defence and Space, British Airways and ExxonMobil.

“We are sure it will be of benefit to our growing number of members across the country and abroad.”

Dr Lindsay-Marie Armstrong, associate professor of mechanical engineering and academic cluster lead for the Solent Industrial Decarbonisation Cluster at University of Southampton, said: “To form a decarbonisation cluster that spans the public, private and higher education sectors is a monumental step forward for the region.

“It will introduce sustainable fuels for local transportation, the aviation and the shipping sectors; create low carbon energy to heat homes, businesses and public buildings; and open up new highly skilled jobs opportunities.

“This can only be achieved by working together as a community, covering all sectors and ultimately working with the same desire to achieve a low carbon economic future for the Solent region.”