Green Limerick: Hemp-powered planes to take off

A LIMERICK-led startup is pioneering a bold solution for the aviation industry, proposing the use of industrial hemp to remove carbon emissions and provide a sustainable fuel source for planes.

For decades, the aviation industry has sought ways to cut emissions.

Now, a groundbreaking initiative led by a Limerick native is poised to change that, using hemp, a plant in the botanical class of Cannabis sativa cultivars.

Along with bamboo, hemp is among the fastest-growing plants on Earth.

Tao Climate, an Irish tech startup founded by Garryowen native Gary Byrnes, is introducing a bold vision for carbon-neutral aviation.

“Hemp is related to cannabis but is grown for its fibres and oils,” said Mr Byrnes.

“The only way to get high with hemp is to put hemp fuel in your plane and take off! The aviation industry has talked the talk. Now it’s time to walk the wing.”

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The company’s Fly Without Limits initiative leverages industrial hemp to remove carbon emissions, produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and enhance transparency in the industry.

Tao Climate proposes growing industrial hemp around airports to act as a carbon sink, provide materials for airport infrastructure, and serve as a feedstock for SAF.

The initiative aims to move beyond traditional carbon offsetting, offering real-time emissions removal and sustainable fuel production.

Industrial hemp absorbs CO₂ as it grows, and Tao Climate’s Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) technology ensures precise tracking of emissions removed.

This also eliminates the reliance on speculative offsetting.

By converting hemp seed oil into SAF at airports, Tao Climate eliminates transport emissions and enhances energy independence for airlines.

Passengers will be able to track the carbon footprint of their flight and see its removal in real time, offering immediate impact rather than long-term pledges.

Tao Climate is inviting airlines, airports, and aviation stakeholders to participate in a risk-free pilot programme to demonstrate the effectiveness of hemp-based carbon removal and SAF production.

With support from Google, the European Space Agency, and Enterprise Ireland, and recognition as a Top 100 solution in the XPRIZE Carbon Removal competition, Tao Climate is turning its vision into reality.

For airlines ready to move beyond wishful thinking and into real emissions removal, Limerick’s own Tao Climate is providing the opportunity to prove it.