A recent study by the Brussels-based advocacy group Transport & Environment (T&E) has shed light on the slow transition of airlines towards sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), particularly in response to global climate targets. According to the study released on November 30, 2024, most of the world's airlines are not implementing sustainable jet fuel at a pace necessary to meet carbon emission reduction goals. The report highlights that only 1% of aviation fuel used globally is SAF, a figure that falls significantly short of the trajectory needed to decarbonize the sector.
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SAF, which can be produced from various sources like cooking oil, wood chips, and agricultural waste, promises a significant reduction in carbon emissions—up to 80% compared to conventional jet fuel. However, the high production costs, currently two to five times more than traditional jet fuel, have been a major deterrent for airlines. T&E's analysis points out that while Air France-KLM, United Airlines, and Norwegian have made some tangible efforts by securing SAF supplies, the majority of airlines are lagging. The study notes that 87% of airlines are not on track to meet carbon reduction targets due to insufficient investment in SAF. This reluctance stems from a lack of investment by major oil companies, who have the capital to build SAF processing facilities but have not done so at the scale required.
The economic implications are stark; airlines face a cost disadvantage when opting for SAF over traditional fuels without supportive policies like carbon pricing or government subsidies. The study suggests that without a significant policy push, including mandates for SAF use or financial incentives, the aviation industry will struggle to achieve the emission cuts necessary to align with international climate commitments. The report also underscores that the slow pace of adoption is not just an environmental concern but could lead to economic disadvantages for airlines that fail to transition.
With increasing regulatory pressure and consumer demand for sustainable practices, those airlines lagging in adopting green fuels might face competitive disadvantages in the future. T&E calls for more aggressive action from both the aviation industry and policymakers to accelerate the shift to SAF, emphasizing that the current pace is "woefully inadequate" to address the climate emergency. The study concludes that without rapid scaling of SAF production and usage, the aviation sector's contribution to climate change will persist, undermining global efforts towards sustainability.