Sustainable Aviation Fuel
According to the U.S Department of Energy, Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is an alternative fuel made from non-petroleum feedstocks that reduces emissions from air transportation. SAF can be blended at different levels with limits between 10% and 50%, depending on the feedstock and how the fuel is produced. According to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), over 360,000 commercial flights have used SAF at 46 different airports largely concentrated in the United States and Europe.
Worldwide, aviation accounts for 2% of all carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and 12% of all CO2 emissions from transportation. ICAO’s Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) caps net CO2 aviation emissions at 2020 levels through 2035. The international aviation industry has set an aspirational goal to reach net zero carbon by 2050. SAF presents the best near-term opportunity to meet these goals.
The primary benefits of SAF are:
1. Future-Ready Compatibility: Aircraft being manufactured today are expected to remain in operation through 2050 and beyond. As a result, any sustainable solution must be compatible with the existing global fleet. SAF can be used with current aircraft engines and fueling infrastructure without requiring modifications, making it a practical and immediate path toward decarbonizing aviation.
2. Fuel-Centric Transition: Given the long lifecycle of aircraft and the high costs of fleet turnover, the most effective and scalable way to reduce aviation emissions is through cleaner fuels. SAF enables significant carbon reductions without disrupting operations, making it the most viable near- and mid-term solution.
3. Economic and Operational Feasibility: SAF can be blended with conventional jet fuel and integrated into current logistics and refueling systems. Its drop-in nature ensures minimal operational costs while positioning the aviation sector to meet sustainability targets in a financially competitive way.
SAF is a crucial part of global strategies to make aviation more environmentally sustainable, with the potential to reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to traditional jet fuel. However, widespread adoption still faces challenges, such as high production costs and limited supply.
The development of SAF is key to meeting aviation industry targets, such as achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
The aviation industry is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. SAF offers a viable solution to reduce the sector’s carbon footprint, playing a critical role in global efforts to combat climate change.
By utilizing waste materials and renewable resources, SAF promotes a circular economy, reducing reliance on finite fossil fuels and minimizing waste.
IATA (International Air Transport Association) represents 300+ airlines, covering 83% of global air traffic. In 2021, IATA committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions from aviation by 2050.
SAF is central to this commitment, with IATA projecting that 65% of emission reductions by 2050 will need to come from SAF.
IATA advocates for global policies to scale SAF production and improve cost competitiveness.
The International Energy Agency identifies SAF as the most important lever to reduce aviation emissions in the near to mid term.
Predicts that by 2030, SAF must make up at least 10% of global jet fuel to stay on track for net zero.
Encourages R&D investments, feedstock diversification, and market incentives.
CAAFI (Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative) is a public-private partnership accelerating the development and deployment of alternative jet fuels in the U.S.
Promotes technical readiness (Fuel Readiness Level), sustainability validation, and commercial viability of SAF.
Supports policy and investment frameworks to expand SAF production infrastructure.
Key supporter of ASTM fuel approvals like HEFA-SPK, ATJ-SPK, and FT-SPK.
SAF contributes directly to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, making it a tool for climate and development co-benefits:
Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
Goal 13: Climate Action
Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals
SAF helps reduce dependency on fossil fuels, supports innovation in renewable energy, and enables green jobs in emerging sectors.
In 2022, the International Civil Aviation Organization adopted a Long-Term Aspirational Goal (LTAG): achieve net-zero carbon emissions from international aviation by 2050.
ICAO’s CORSIA framework promotes SAF uptake to offset aviation emissions.
Supports global SAF accounting frameworks and lifecycle GHG methodologies.
“To reach net zero by 2050, aviation must transform—without grounding the world. SAF is the clearest runway forward.”
HEFA (Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids) is currently the most widely produced type of SAF. It is made from renewable oils and fats, such as used cooking oil, animal fats, and other organic materials. The feedstock undergoes hydroprocessing, where hydrogen is added to remove oxygen, resulting in a fuel that closely resembles traditional jet fuel. HEFA SAF is already certified for use in aviation, making it an important near-term solution for reducing emissions.
E-fuels are produced by using renewable electricity (often from wind or solar power) to split water into hydrogen via electrolysis. The hydrogen is then combined with carbon dioxide, which can be captured from industrial emissions or directly from the air, to create synthetic hydrocarbons. E-fuels are seen as a promising long-term solution because they can potentially offer near-zero carbon emissions, depending on how the electricity is sourced.
This refers to SAF produced from waste materials like municipal solid waste (MSW), agricultural residues, or forest waste. Waste-based SAF is particularly appealing because it utilizes feedstocks that would otherwise be discarded, thus reducing waste and preventing landfill emissions. This method has the potential for substantial sustainability benefits, though scaling up production remains a challenge.
Bio-feedstock SAF is made from organic materials like plants, algae, or other biomass that can be sustainably grown. These feedstocks absorb carbon dioxide during their growth, which offsets the emissions produced when the fuel is burned. However, it is crucial that these bio-feedstocks are sourced sustainably, as unsustainable production could lead to deforestation or competition with food crops.
