As of January 1, 2025, flights departing from the United Kingdom are entering a new era of sustainability, driven by a groundbreaking legal mandate that requires the use of greener aviation fuel. This development marks a significant step in the country’s efforts to decarbonize air travel, an industry often criticized for its environmental footprint. The Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Mandate, now enshrined in law, compels aviation fuel suppliers to ensure that at least 2% of all jet fuel used in flights taking off from UK airports consists of SAF by 2025. This figure is set to rise incrementally, reaching 10% by 2030 and an ambitious 22% by 2040, reflecting a long-term commitment to reducing the carbon emissions associated with flying.
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Sustainable Aviation Fuel is a cornerstone of this initiative. Unlike traditional fossil-based jet fuel, SAF is derived from renewable sources, such as household waste, used cooking oil, and agricultural residues. On average, it produces 70% fewer carbon emissions over its lifecycle compared to conventional kerosene-based fuel, offering a practical solution to mitigate the environmental impact of aviation without requiring wholesale changes to existing aircraft or infrastructure. The UK government estimates that by 2030, approximately 1.2 million tonnes of SAF will be supplied to the airline industry annually—an amount sufficient to power flights circling the globe 3,000 times. This scale underscores the mandate’s ambition and positions the UK as a global leader in the push for cleaner air travel.
The SAF Mandate is not merely an environmental measure; it also carries significant economic implications. By driving demand for sustainable fuel, the law is expected to stimulate investment in domestic SAF production, fostering the creation of thousands of skilled jobs across the country. Already, facilities like the Phillips 66 Humber Refinery are operational, and several additional projects are in development, many supported by public funding through the Department for Transport’s Advanced Fuels Fund. In January 2025 alone, the government announced an additional £63 million investment to bolster SAF producers, with regions like Teesside poised to benefit. Moreover, a forthcoming revenue certainty mechanism, slated for consultation in early 2025, aims to provide financial stability for producers, encouraging further private investment in new plants and ensuring a steady supply to meet the mandate’s escalating targets.
Compliance with the mandate is enforced through a certificate trading scheme, where suppliers earn certificates based on the greenhouse gas reductions achieved by their SAF contributions. Those unable to meet the 2% threshold can purchase certificates from over-compliant suppliers or pay a buy-out fee of £4.70 per litre shortfall to the government, with non-compliance risking civil penalties. This system balances flexibility with accountability, ensuring the aviation sector adapts to the new requirements. The mandate aligns with the broader Jet Zero Strategy, which seeks net-zero aviation emissions by 2050, and complements other efforts like the £3 national bus fare cap and investments in zero-emission vehicles, signaling a holistic approach to greener transportation. This legal framework, effective as of the start of 2025, places the UK among the first nations to mandate SAF use, ahead of many peers in the global race to decarbonize aviation. While challenges remain—such as securing sufficient sustainable feedstocks and scaling production capacity—the initiative reflects a proactive stance on climate change, blending environmental responsibility with economic opportunity. As flights take off under this new law, the UK is not only reducing its carbon footprint but also charting a course for a more sustainable aviation future.