Conference approved the establishment of a global framework aimed at promoting Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production on a worldwide scale. The objective is to reduce the carbon intensity of aviation fuel by 5% compared to current fossil fuel usage in the industry by the year 2030.
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GLOThe third Aviation Alternative Fuels Conference (CAAF/3), organized by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in Dubai, yielded several key outcomes.
One notable outcome is the establishment of a global framework aimed at promoting Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production on a worldwide scale. The objective is to reduce the carbon intensity of aviation fuel by 5% compared to current fossil fuel usage in the industry by the year 2030.
To facilitate global participation in the SAF market, measures such as capacity building, the creation of a “Finvest Hub,” and voluntary technology transfer have been proposed. These initiatives are designed to ensure that all countries can actively engage in the growing SAF market.
The conference emphasized the urgent need for a solution that fosters a global SAF market while allowing airlines to claim the environmental benefits of their SAF purchases against their decarbonization obligations. This necessitates the establishment of a robust and universal accounting framework for SAF.
Governments worldwide have acknowledged the crucial role of SAF in achieving net-zero emissions for aviation by 2050. The CAAF/3 results introduce an ambitious vision for the shorter time horizon of 2030. The agreement from CAAF/3 emphasizes the imperative for policies that drive tangible progress, stressing the urgency of the situation. Willie Walsh, Director General of IATA, urges governments to swiftly implement robust policies to unlock the full potential of a global SAF market, with a substantial increase in production.
This urgency stems from the fact that the demand for SAF by airlines, aligned with their commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, far surpasses the current availability of SAF, limited to just 0.2% of airlines’ jet fuel consumption in 2023. Despite clear signals of demand, the SAF production market is not advancing at a pace commensurate with the needs. Walsh emphasizes the immediate need for supportive policies that can spur production, encourage competition, drive innovation, and attract financing to address this gap.
Other notable announcements at the event:
Emirates operates world’s first A380 demo flight powered by 100% sustainable fuel
Source: ICAO
