Sustainable Aviation Fuel: Doubling Production, Yet Falling Short of Industry Demand
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has reported a significant increase in the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in 2023, achieving over 600 million liters, double the volume produced in 2022. This growth marks a promising advancement in the aviation industry’s efforts to embrace more sustainable practices. However, this impressive production figure represents only 3% of the total renewable fuel output, indicating that the majority of sustainable fuel production is still allocated to other industries.
Looking ahead to 2024, IATA projects that SAF production will triple to approximately 1.875 billion liters. Despite this growth, SAF will still only account for 0.53% of aviation’s fuel needs and 6% of renewable fuel capacity. The limited allocation of SAF production capacity to aviation fuel remains a significant barrier, keeping prices high and supply limited. IATA’s director general, Willie Walsh, emphasized the need for government policies to incentivize the scaling-up of SAF production and diversify feedstocks with local availability. He highlighted that aviation requires between 25% and 30% of renewable fuel production capacity dedicated to SAF to stay on track for net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
These developments underscore the urgent need for more concerted efforts in enhancing SAF production. IATA’s call for government action highlights the critical role of policy in driving the growth of sustainable fuel options, ensuring that the aviation industry can meet its environmental goals and continue its journey towards decarbonization.
For further information, you can access detailed reports from IATA and Flightplan Forecast International.