Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is key to achieving the aviation industry's net-zero carbon emissions goal by 2050. However, the supply of SAF must significantly increase to meet the demand for the jet-zero revolution.
Committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, the aviation industry is researching non-fossil fuel alternatives to replace conventional jet fuel. Battery- and hydrogen-powered planes have made headlines, but the real key to meeting the industry's climate goals may be Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Derived from agricultural waste like used cooking oil, ethanol, and other residues, SAF is already being used in limited quantities for business aviation.
Jet engines that run on biofuels have an advantage over electric aircraft because they require minimal modification or supporting infrastructure. The International Energy Agency (IATA) estimates that SAF could contribute to around 65% of the emission reductions needed for the aviation industry to reach net-zero in 2050.
Major airlines and corporate jet makers, such as United Airlines, Boeing, Dassault, Gulfstream, and Embraer, have begun investing in SAF production and utilization. However, according to a report by the Rhodium Group, SAF production must massively increase to meet demand, as its limited supply and narrow distribution make it three times more expensive than conventional jet fuel.
With the number of commercial flights using SAF expected to reach 2 million in 2025, up from 450,000 flights in 2022, companies like World Energy and Neste are ramping up their production capacities. Startups such as Gevo and Air Company have also received funding to expand their operations.
Despite the growing demand for SAF, the Royal Society has called for further research into the efficient production, storage, and use of biofuels to create a roadmap for sustainable aviation. The authors of the study note that the UK would need to devote more than half of its farmland to produce enough SAF feedstock to meet the aviation industry's 2050 net-zero goals.