The growing concerns over the climate change crisis today are deemed as one of the most pressing problems faced by humanity. The effects of increasing atmospheric CO2 and other greenhouse gases, along with rising sea levels and extreme weather conditions, are apparent and projected to intensify in the coming decades. And solving these issues requires a multifaceted approach across all sectors of the global economy.
One critical industry that contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions is aviation. The carbon footprint of the aviation industry is growing rapidly as more and more people are able to afford air travel and more flights are available. Reducing emissions from aviation is, therefore, crucial to mitigating the consequences. However, decarbonising the aviation sector poses considerable challenges.
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The aviation industry is making significant efforts and employing critical measures toward sustainability, ranging from the use of new-generation aircraft and engines to innovations in waste management. Today, it has become critical for the world of aviation to stay ahead of the game and develop new low or zero-emission technology to go green. To fulfil the global commitment, the aviation sector is targeting to achieve net-zero operations by 2050. Several key initiatives are underway to support the industry in hitting this target. One such significant initiative is the development of Sustainable Aviation Fuel. By developing and deploying sustainable alternative jet fuels like sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs), the industry is representing one of the most promising paths toward greening the aviation sector.
What is Sustainable Aviation Fuel or SAF?
Sustainable Aviation Fuel, or SAF, is a type of jet fuel yielded from renewable and sustainable sources. Unlike conventional fuels that are generated from fossil fuels, SAF is produced from feedstocks like agricultural residues, waste oils, and biomass. The feedstocks are processed to produce a fuel that meets the same safety and performance standards as traditional jet fuel.
Derived from alternative renewable sources, SAF is developed in a more sustainable fashion. It is sustainable in a sense as it can be resourced in different ways that are consistent with socio-economic and environmental goals. It helps in preserving the ecological balance and avoids the depletion of natural resources. The use of SAF is set to lower the lifecycle carbon footprint and will have a vital role in meeting the aviation industry’s environmental as well as sustainability goals.
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How are Sustainable Aviation Fuels Made?
The production process of sustainable aviation fuel, or SAF, involves several steps - Feedstocks such as cooking oil, algae, or plant waste are collected and then refined and converted into fuel. The generated fuel mimics the chemical composition of conventional jet fuel.
The most common methods for SAF production include the Fischer-Tropsch process, which transforms biomass or natural gas into liquid fuel, and the hydroprocessing method, which involves treating feedstocks with hydrogen for the creation of aviation-grade fuel. The resulting SAF contains different carbon reduction profiles based on the feedstock and production method used.
Manufacturers and airlines are working to incorporate SAF into their designs and operations. The new generation engines are now capable of operating with a proportion of SAF. To overcome these barriers and enhance the climate benefits of SAFs, companies are working to develop next-generation technologies that can produce SAFs from entirely new sources.
SAF and the UK
The aviation industry is playing a significant part in the consultation process to specify the right mechanism and secure the investment required to create a UK SAF industry. SAF is set to play the most crucial role in meeting net zero targets as well as reducing aviation emissions this decade. New proposals rolled out by the UK government are set to mandate widespread adoption of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from 2025.
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The UK has also issued a notice of proposed rulemaking that will further mandate jet fuel suppliers to integrate sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) into aircraft fuel. This will set a 10% SAF blend requirement by the year 2030.
Sustainable aviation fuel is a vital tool for the aviation industry’s journey. Whilst there are considerable challenges to decarbonising aviation, it is essential to recognise the efforts of operators and manufacturers to kick-start the journey to net zero. It is also essential to consider aviation’s contribution to CO2 emissions in the proper context.
Key Takeaways
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The UK government is committed to introducing a revenue certainty scheme as part of the UK’s world-leading sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) program.
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As part of the Energy Bill, the government is also setting up legislation to launch consultation options for designing and implementing the scheme.
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The introduction of new measures will positively contribute towards the government’s ambition of achieving net zero targets in the UK by 2025 and cement the status of the UK as a world leader in this industry.
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Final Thoughts
Aviation is an inherently innovative industry working hard on exploring new opportunities to reduce the carbon footprint of the industry. Today, the industry is accountable for around 2% of global CO2 emissions annually. And 95% of these are from flights over 1,500 nautical miles with no alternative.
The most developed pathway for aviation decarbonisation SAF programs in the UK is considered one of the most comprehensive in the world, and the government also recognises the importance of providing long-term certainty for the industry. Along with the introduction of a SAF mandate in the year 2025, the new schemes are set to provide fuel security, grow the economy, and help the aviation sector by creating over 10,000 jobs by the year 2030, eventually rising to 60,000 by 2050.
Sustainable aviation fuel will not only bring countless economic opportunities, such as creating thousands of green jobs, but it will allow the industry to harness the full potential of SAF, thereby bringing the sector closer to net zero flying. And this commitment is a crucial step to creating cleaner and greener aviation in the UK. It will further cement the UK's position as a global leader in innovation and create a new, talented workforce that champions decarbonisation, thus paving the way for future air travel.
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