Global production of so-called sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is forecast to expand three-fold this year, but will fall far short of even 1% of what airlines need to keep flying.
That’s according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which warned of "a long way to go" to help the industry go green by mid-century and ditch fossil fuel-derived kerosene.
"SAF will provide about 65% of the mitigation needed for airlines to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050," said Willie Walsh, the IATA director general and former chief of carriers such as British Airways and Aer Lingus, who described the projected tripling for 2024 was "encouraging," despite it accounting for only 0.53% of the industry’s needs for the year.
The IATA, a Geneva-based organisation representing around 300 carriers that transport 8 out of 10 of the world’s passengers each year, said that governments and the aviation industry need to diversify the materials used to produce SAF, which is largely made from animal fats and used cooking oil.
"Incentives to build more renewable energy facilities, strengthen the feedstock supply chain, and to allocate a greater portion of renewable fuel output to aviation would help decarbonizing aviation," said Walsh.
Airlines have warned that flying will become more expensive for consumers as the costs associated with producing SAF and switching to compatible aircraft are passed on. A recent IATA survey found 8 in 10 passengers willing to pay extra to fly on SAF-powered aircraft.