Sustainable Aviation Fuel

SAF uses feedstocks such as cooking oil to reduce emissions by up to 80 percent. One advantage of SAF is that it can be blended with traditional jet fuel and used with existing infrastructure, engines, and planes. SAF gives an impressive reduction of up to 80% in carbon emissions over the fuel lifecycle compared to the traditional jet fuel it replaces, depending on the sustainable feedstock used, production method, and the supply chain to the airport. 

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 human-caused carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and 12% of all transportation CO2 emissions. 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 Sustainable Aviation Fuel Grand Challenge, announced in 2021, brings together multiple federal agencies to expand domestic consumption to 3 billion gallons in 2030 and 35 billion gallons in 2050 while achieving at least a 50% reduction in lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions.

SAF can also be produced using renewable feedstocks such as agricultural or forestry waste. When produced from renewable feedstocks SAF only emits the same amount of carbon to the atmosphere as was previously absorbed by its feedstock, thereby closing the carbon loop.

What are the benefits of SAF compared to fossil jet fuel?

Based on our Life Cycle Analysis, a specific batch of SAF can reduce emissions by 75% or more, compared to fossil jet fuel over its entire life span. This includes production, distribution, transportation, and combustion. It can also reduce other harmful emissions like particulates and sulfur by 90% and 100% respectively. These reductions are critical ways to reduce the impact of climate change on our planet.

International Air Transport Association (IATA) estimates that SAF could contribute around 65% of the reduction in emissions needed by aviation to reach net zero in 2050. This will require a massive increase in production. The largest acceleration is expected in the 2030s as policy support becomes global, SAF becomes competitive with fossil kerosene and credible offsets become scarcer.

Evolution of SAF :

2008: The first test flight with bio jet fuel was performed by Virgin Atlantic.

2011–2015: 22 airlines performed over 2,500 commercial passenger flights with blends of up to 50% bio jet fuel from feedstock including used cooking oil, jatropha, camelina, and algae.

January 2016: Regular sustainable fuel supply through the common hydrant system started at Oslo Airport. Alternative fuel producer Neste and supplier SkyNRG as well as Air BP involved. 

March 2016: United became the first airline to introduce SAF into normal business operations by commencing daily flights from Los Angeles Airport (LAX), supplied by AltAir.

June 2017: At the 73rd IATA AGM in Cancun, IATA members unanimously agreed on a resolution on the deployment of SAF, including calling for constructive government policies, and committing to only use fuels that conserve ecological balance and avoid depletion of natural resources.

November 2019: Commercial SAF flights exceed 250,000 and more than 45 airlines gain experience using SAF.

June 2020: Two new technical SAF certifications are approved by ASTM increasing the approved technical pathways for SAF production to seven

October 2021: The 77th IATA AGM in Boston approved a resolution for the global air transport industry to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. This commitment aligns with the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming well below 2°C. A potential scenario is that 65% of this will be abated through SAF. 

October 2022: adoption of a Long Term Aspirational Goal (LTAG) to achieve net zero CO2 emissions by 2050 at the 41st ICAO Assembly. 

In 2022, SAF production tripled to 300 million liters from 100 million liters in 2021.

In June 2023, IATA released a series of strategic roadmaps to showcase the critical steps to reach net zero by 2050, including SAF.

In October 2023, the EU adopted ReFuelEU Aviation which completed the ‘Fit for 55’ legislation. Aviation fuel suppliers will have to blend increasing amounts of SAF with kerosene, starting with a 2% minimum blend in 2025, and rising to 70% in 2050.

In 2023, SAF production tripled to 600 million liters from 300 million liters in 2022, representing 0.2% of global jet fuel use.