Exponential Growth in Sustainable Aviation Fuel Production: A Leap Towards Green Goals
The sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) industry marked a significant milestone in 2024, as global production soared to 1.25 billion liters. This represents a substantial stride towards achieving aviation’s net-zero emissions goals by 2050. However, SAF still accounts for a mere 0.53% of total aviation fuel consumption, underlining the colossal task of scaling up that lies ahead.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) revealed that SAF production tripled from 300 million liters in 2022 to 600 million liters in 2023, before doubling once more in 2024. This swift expansion mirrors the escalating commitment of the industry and government mandates across the globe. Notably, the European Union has mandated a 2% minimum SAF blend starting in 2025, which is set to rise to 70% by 2050.
Major aviation companies and FBO operators are progressively offering SAF at their facilities. Signature Aviation, one of the world’s largest FBO networks, announced the availability of blended SAF at six new European locations, thereby increasing their total SAF-capable locations to 33 worldwide. The company also earned recognition from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with a 2024 Green Power Leadership Award for utilizing over 97 million kilowatt-hours of green power annually.
While the costs of SAF remain significantly higher than conventional jet fuel – ranging from 2.1 to 10.6 times more expensive – industry experts highlight government incentives, advancements in production technologies, and growing corporate sustainability commitments as key drivers for continued growth. Remarkably, the fuel can reduce carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional jet fuel when produced from renewable feedstocks like waste oils and agricultural residues.
Source: https://earth.org/sustainable-aviation-fuel-state-of-the-industry-and-challenges-in-2024/