What is Sustainable Aviation Fuel and Why Does It Matter?

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What is Sustainable Aviation Fuel and Why Does It Matter?

Air travel is an essential part of modern life, connecting people and places across the globe. However, it also has a significant impact on the environment, contributing to climate change and air pollution. According to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), aviation emitted 915 million tonnes of CO2 in 2019, accounting for about 2.4% of global CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion. Moreover, aviation emissions are projected to increase by 3-4% per year, unless mitigated by new technologies or policies.

One of the most promising ways to reduce aviation emissions is to use sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), a low-carbon alternative to conventional jet fuel. SAF is made from renewable and sustainable sources, such as biomass, waste, or synthetic gases, that do not compete with food or land use. SAF can be blended with conventional jet fuel at different levels, depending on the feedstock and the production process, and used in existing aircraft and engines without any modifications.


SAF has multiple benefits for the environment and society, such as:
  • Reducing lifecycle CO2 emissions by up to 80%, compared to conventional jet fuel, depending on the feedstock and the production process. Lifecycle emissions include those from the extraction, processing, transport, and combustion of the fuel.
  • Reducing other pollutants, such as sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and black carbon, that affect local air quality and human health.
  • Creating new opportunities for economic development, innovation, and job creation in the biofuel sector, especially in rural areas where feedstocks are sourced.
  • Enhancing energy security and diversity by reducing dependence on fossil fuels and increasing the use of domestic and regional resources.

However, SAF also faces some challenges that need to be addressed, such as:
  • Availability: SAF is currently produced in limited quantities and locations, mainly in Europe and North America. In 2019, SAF accounted for only 0.1% of the total jet fuel consumption worldwide. To meet the growing demand for SAF, more production facilities, feedstocks, and supply chains are needed.
  • Affordability: SAF is currently more expensive than conventional jet fuel, due to the high capital and operational costs of the production facilities, the limited supply and competition of the feedstocks, and the lack of supportive policies and incentives. The price gap between SAF and conventional jet fuel can range from two to five times, depending on the market conditions.
  • Sustainability: SAF needs to comply with strict sustainability criteria and certification schemes, to ensure that it does not cause negative impacts on the environment or society, such as deforestation, biodiversity loss, land use change, water use, or food security. SAF also needs to be transparent and traceable along the value chain, from the feedstock to the end-user.

The future prospects of SAF depend on the collaboration and commitment of all stakeholders, including governments, industry, and consumers. Some of the actions that can help accelerate the deployment of SAF are:
  • Increasing the production and supply of SAF by investing in new and existing facilities, diversifying the feedstock portfolio, and improving the conversion efficiency and quality of the production processes.
  • Reducing the cost and price gap of SAF by providing subsidies, tax incentives, carbon pricing, or blending mandates, to create a level playing field and a stable market for SAF.
  • Enhancing the demand and uptake of SAF by raising awareness, creating partnerships, and facilitating the access and distribution of SAF, especially in emerging and developing regions.
  • Strengthening the sustainability and quality of SAF by implementing and harmonizing the sustainability standards and certification schemes, and ensuring the traceability and transparency of the SAF value chain.

SAF is a key solution for greener skies, but it requires a collective and coordinated effort from all stakeholders to make it a reality. By working together, we can make air travel more sustainable and enjoyable for everyone.



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