The use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is considered crucial in achieving a carbon-neutral aviation industry. This theme was recently highlighted at the annual conference of Iata, an international airlines trade association. The European Union’s objective of utilising SAF for 5% of its fuel requirements by 2030 sparked a vibrant discussion, as reported by the industry journal, Air Transport World. Questions were raised as to why Iata appeared to be retreating from this goal that they had formerly championed.
This led to a clarification by Iata’s director-general, Willie Walsh, the Irishman formerly at the helm of Aer Lingus, British Airways, and International Airlines Group. “We unequivocally did not advocate for 5% by 2030, because we question the feasibility of fuel companies achieving this target by 2030,” he declared. “The governments are the ones who promoted this 5% goal. I am of the opinion that it is incumbent upon governments to aid in reaching the targets that they have implemented.”
SAF is derived from renewable feedstocks including waste cooking oil of animal or plant origin, household and industrial waste, and discarded food that would otherwise be sent to landfills or incineration plants. Despite a ready demand from airlines, constrained supply and high costs pose challenges. Walsh proposed potential policy amendments to stimulate production levels.
“Incentivising the establishment of more renewable energy plants, fortifying the feedstock supply chain, and assigning a larger share of renewable fuel production to the aviation sector could expedite the decarbonisation of aviation,” stated Walsh. “Governmental facilitation of technical solutions via speedy approval of diverse feedstocks, production techniques and co-processing of renewable feedstocks in crude oil plants could also be beneficial. A single policy or strategy will not suffice in achieving our desired goals. But employing an assortment of all probable policy instruments could make the production of substantial amounts of SAF entirely achievable.”