Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Aerospace
  • /
  • IATA wants post-COVID-19 green recovery to embrace SAF

Aerospace

IATA wants post-COVID-19 green recovery to embrace SAF

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) emphasised the aviation industry’s commitment to its emissions reduction goals and called for the International Energy Agency (IEA) to prioritise investment in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to help power aviation’s contribution to the post-COVID-19 recovery.

Image copyright Shutterstock

IATA’s call comes on the eve of the IEA Clean Energy Transitions Summit which will meet virtually to debate moves toward a low-carbon future. The IEA is well placed to promote SAF production with its stakeholders both in government and in the fuel industry.

The world must 'build back better' from the COVID-19 crisis with attention focused on investment in carbon reduction technologies and in SAF, which will create jobs at this critical time and boost aviation’s progress towards its goal to cut aviation emissions to half 2005 levels by 2050.

Advertisement
Farsound RT Brain

Current SAF production rates are too low for aviation to reach this goal despite SAF’s proven potential and airline efforts to date:

  • SAF can cut CO2 lifecycle emissions up to 80% compared with conventional jet fuel
  • SAF uses sustainable fuel sources which do not compete with food or water, or damage biodiversity.
  • Due to extensive testing and investment from airlines, SAF are certified as safe, sustainable, and ready-to-use.
  • Over 250,000 flights have already taken off with a blend of SAF.

“The enormous amounts of money that governments are investing in the economic recovery from COVID-19 are an opportunity to create a legacy of energy transition for the aviation industry. To achieve this, governments, the finance community and the fuel producers—both large and small—must work together with the goal of rapidly increasing production of affordable sustainable aviation fuel,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO.

IATA estimates that current SAF production is 50 million litres annually. To reach a tipping point where the scale of production will see SAF costs drop to levels competitive with jet fuel, production needs to reach 7 billion litres or 2% of 2019 consumption.

Advertisement
Marshall RT 2

“As much as airlines want to use SAF, production is well below the scale needed for prices to fall to competitive levels. Attaining the right price point is even more crucial as industry losses and debt levels rise. But if governments can use this unique time to combine a safe fiscal and regulatory framework supporting SAF production with the direct allocation of stimulus funds to SAF production, it is possible to reach the 2% tipping point in 2025. That would power greener flight, create jobs and fuel the economic recovery together,” said de Juniac.

IATA and the wider aviation community are ready to work with the IEA, governments and fuel companies to cut aviation’s emissions with SAF. “SAF is our biggest emissions reduction opportunity. The time is right to push it forward so that, together, we can achieve major carbon reductions on the way towards fossil fuel-free flight,” said de Juniac.

 

 

Advertisement
General Atomics LB
British Airways and Virgin Atlantic CEOs to speak at Sustainable Skies World Summit 2024

Aerospace

British Airways and Virgin Atlantic CEOs to speak at Sustainable Skies World Summit 2024

28 March 2024

Aviation leaders Shai Weiss, CEO of Virgin Atlantic and Sean Doyle, CEO of British Airways as keynote speakers at the Sustainable Skies World Summit 2024.

Airframe Designs helps to lead additive manufacturing industry body

Aerospace

Airframe Designs helps to lead additive manufacturing industry body

27 March 2024

Airframe Designs has joined a national industry body to help lead the development of additive manufacturing and 3D printing in the UK.

Leonardo secures presence at Bahrain International Airshow

Aerospace Defence Events

Leonardo secures presence at Bahrain International Airshow

26 March 2024

Italian aerospace, defence and security firm, Leonardo has secured its presence at the Bahrain International Airshow for the seventh year.

Made Smarter and tech institutes to demystify digital transformation

Aerospace

Made Smarter and tech institutes to demystify digital transformation

26 March 2024

Made Smarter and leading technology demonstrators have joined forces to demystify digital transformation with a new white paper.

Advertisement
Farsound RT Brain
Britten-Norman secures new investment

Aerospace

Britten-Norman secures new investment

25 March 2024

Britten Norman has secured new investment from a group of investors led by 4D Capital Partners LLP (“4D”) The new investors are making funds available to Britten-Norman to fund working capital and to drive successful long-term growth.

First disability flying lessons to be launched at Kent airport

Aerospace

First disability flying lessons to be launched at Kent airport

25 March 2024

The UK’s disabled flying charity Aerobility has partnered with Lydd Aero Club in Kent to provide opportunities for lessons and experience flights for people living with disabilities, at Kent airport.

Advertisement
ODU RT