A mandate on the aviation sector to supplant 2% of its jet fuel demand with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) will be in place from 1 January 2025, the government has confirmed.

The mandate was first introduced by the previous Conservative administration in 2022 and requires the sector to ramp up its usage of SAF until at least 10% of UK aviation fuel is derived from sustainable sources by 2030.

In a written statement to parliament, transport minister Louise Haigh said the Labour government would to stick to the previous government’s plan after introducing a bill to support SAF production in the King’s speech last month.

SAF is considered a major tool in helping to lower climate change emissions from air travel – widely regarded as one of the most difficult sectors to decarbonise. SAF can be used in existing aircraft, and it emits on average 70% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than using fossil jet fuel on a life-cycle basis.

While SAF can be created in a number of ways, the mandate specifically...