Sustainable aviation is primed for take-off

Governments are setting ambitious targets for the use of synthetic fuels in the aviation sector.
However, clarity is still needed before the industry can step up to meet these objectives. Recent policy changes mean sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) will become a reality within the sector’s decarbonisation efforts.
Over 21 gigatons of CO2 – this is the amount of CO2 emissions that airlines expect to abate between this year and 2050, noting that demand for aviation is likely to double in this time period.
While today, emissions currently account for 3% of global CO2, this figure is set to grow in a decarbonising world, so flying under the radar is not an option. SAF – low-carbon fuels powered by alternative sources ranging from agricultural waste to carbon captured from the air – is a viable solution to ensure the flight industry can continuously deliver benefits to society in an environmentally sound way.
Fully compatible with existing aircraft and fuelling infrastructure, they can help airlines cut their emissions by up to 90% in the case of renewable fuels and even 100% for e-jet fuels. Yet, while SAF is the most promising pathway to...