Rapid scaling of SAF essential for aviation's net-zero future
The aviation industry must significantly scale up Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production to meet net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, facing numerous challenges and requiring coordinated efforts.
AirCargoWeek reports that, as the aviation industry strives for net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, the rapid scaling up of SAF production has become a critical focus. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) estimates that SAF must account for 65% of the industry's net-zero emissions target, necessitating a thousand-fold increase in production by 2050.
Increase required
One of the main challenges in scaling SAF production is the enormous increase required to meet future demand. The aviation industry will need 450 billion liters of SAF annually by 2050, compared to the minuscule amounts produced today. Achieving this scale demands substantial investment and innovation across the sector.
Measures proposed
To accelerate Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production and adoption, several policy measures have been proposed:
- Diversifying Feedstocks: expand the use of agricultural residues, forestry residues, and municipal waste to increase SAF production potential beyond the current reliance on hydrogenated fatty acids (HEFA).
- Co-processing: use existing refineries to co-process up to 5% renewable feedstocks with crude oil, requiring urgent policy implementation for lifecycle assessments.
- Incentives for Renewable Fuel Facilities: establish policies to shift production towards SAF, providing incentives to transition renewable diesel production to SAF with minimal modifications.
- Boosting Investments: support investments with policies like the US Grand Challenge ($3 billion), and provide stable, long-term tax credits to maximize SAF production in both new and existing facilities.
According to the AirCargoWeek report, positive signs are emerging, with new SAF production plants opening worldwide and regulatory environments evolving to support growth. By 2030, approximately 140 renewable fuel projects capable of producing SAF are expected to be operational, significantly boosting global production capacity.
