By Mark Nicol Defence Editor For The Daily Mail

Published: 19:32 EDT, 23 November 2021 | Updated: 19:36 EDT, 23 November 2021

RAF bases will start becoming ‘carbon neutral’ within four years as part of a world-beating plan for the Armed Forces to go green, it emerged last night. 

RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire has been chosen to be the first ‘net zero’ base with others to follow, revealed the head of the RAF, Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston. 

Meanwhile, increasing numbers of RAF aircraft will switch to more environmentally friendly sources of fuel. 

Members of the RAF take part in the annual Lord Mayor's Show on November 13

In the years ahead, cadets will learn to fly in aircraft that use entirely synthetic power sources. 

Sir Mike explained the trailblazing initiative for the RAF to go carbon neutral by 2040 in a speech at King’s College London last night. 

He said: ‘Our Armed Forces are responsible for a high level of our government’s emissions, and our air and space activities represent a significant proportion, aviation fuel burn especially. 

‘We must tackle how we power our bases and our aircraft. We are pushing with industry for 100 per cent sustainable aviation fuel.’ 

Sir Mike said that RAF aircraft are currently running on a 50:50 blend of sustainable fuel to traditional fuel. 

He added: ‘On the ground, we are aiming for RAF Leeming in Yorkshire to be the first “net zero” air base by 2025.’

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