Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production doubled in 2023, however more needs to be done if the aviation industry is to reach its 2050 net zero goal, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
According to IATA estimates released on Wednesday (6 December), SAF volumes in 2023 reached more than 600 million litres (0.5 metric tonnes) – double the 300 million litres produced in 2022 – but accounted for just 3 per cent of all renewable fuels produced, with 97 per cent of renewable fuel production going to other sectors.
In 2024, SAF production is expected to triple to 1.875 billion litres, accounting for 0.53 per cent of aviation’s fuel need, and 6 per cent of renewable fuel capacity, according to IATA figures.
The estimates were released as the association reported the ongoing recovery of global air demand in October, with traffic (measured in revenue passenger kilometres) reaching 98.2 per cent of pre-Covid levels.
While the expected increase in SAF production is “encouraging” IATA director general Willie Walsh said the aviation sector needs between 25 per cent and 30 per cent of renewable fuel production capacity for SAF in order to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
“Until such levels are reached, we will continue missing huge opportunities to advance aviation’s decarbonisation,” Walsh said. “Governments must prioritise policies to incentivise the scaling-up of SAF production and to diversify feedstocks with those available locally.”
The International Civil Aviation Organization recently agreed a global framework to promote SAF production in order to reduce CO2 emissions from the aviation sector by 5 per cent by 2030. To reach this level, IATA estimates about 17.5 billion litres of SAF need to be produced.
Unlocking supply to meet demand is “the challenge that needs to be solved”, according to IATA, since “every drop of SAF produced has been bought and used” and at least 43 airlines have already committed to use some 16.25 billion litres of SAF in 2030.
IATA insists that governments must set a policy framework that promotes investments in new SAF production pathways, focuses stakeholders on regional diversification of feedstock to produce SAF and incentivises renewable fuel producers to allocate more of their output to the sustainable aviation fuel.
Some 86 per cent of travellers in a recent IATA survey agreed that governments should provide production incentives for airlines to be able to access SAF. The majority (86 per cent) also agreed that it should be a priority for oil companies to supply SAF to airlines.
Walsh added: “But with a few notable exceptions, governments are not living up to their obligations to ensure SAF is plentiful and affordable to support the industry’s energy transition.”