The Department for Transport (DfT) has announced measures to support green aviation fuel producers, including a revenue certainty scheme and an additional £400,000 in funding.
On 1 January 2025, the UK’s sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) mandate came into force, which requires the flight sector to supplant 2% of its jet fuel demand with SAF in flights taking off from the UK from 2025. This will grow year-on-year to 10% by 2030 and 22% by 2040.
Made from sustainable sources, including materials such as household waste or used cooking oil, 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.
A recent study found that emissions from European airlines have soared to pre-Covid-19 levels. However, a key challenge for airlines meeting this mandate...