Decarbonising Aviation: The Role of Sustainable Aviation Fuel in Europe
Key Ideas
  • Aviation sector faces challenges in decarbonisation due to long lifecycles, limited alternative fuels, and COVID-19 impact on air travel.
  • IATA aims for net-zero emissions by 2050 through operational improvements, fleet renewal, and adoption of electric/hydrogen propulsion systems.
  • Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) expected to contribute 65% of emissions reductions in the aviation sector, with Europe leading in policy mandates.
  • Establishment of SAF Clearing Houses in the US, UK, and EU to support certification processes, increase production, and promote market growth for SAF.
The aviation sector has long been a challenging industry to decarbonise due to factors like long aircraft lifecycles, limited availability of alternative fuels, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on air travel. Despite these challenges, the sector is committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 through a combination of operational improvements, fleet renewal, and the adoption of electric and hydrogen propulsion systems. Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is expected to play a pivotal role, contributing an estimated 65% of emissions reductions in the aviation sector, with Europe taking the lead in implementing policy mandates to increase SAF usage. The establishment of SAF Clearing Houses in the US, UK, and EU aims to facilitate the certification processes for new SAF products, support increased production volumes, and encourage diversification in feedstocks. These Clearing Houses provide technical support, collaboration on certification, and forums for stakeholders to address issues related to SAF production and sustainability. By reducing uncertainty and complexity in the certification process, the Clearing Houses aim to accelerate the scaling of SAF production to meet ambitious targets set by programs like ReFuelEU Aviation.
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