The International Air Transport Association (IATA) predicts increase in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production, doubling to over 600 million litres in 2023 and further rising to 1.875 billion litres in 2024. This surge is crucial as the global aviation industry intensifies efforts for decarbonisation, with SAF playing a pivotal role.
During a recent conference hosted by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a global framework was established to boost SAF production globally, aiming for aviation fuels to be 5% less carbon-intensive by 2030. To achieve this target, approximately 17.5 billion litres of SAF need to be produced.
Sustainability in aviation industry
IATA’s Director for Net Zero Transaction, Hemant Mistry, revealed that 43 airlines globally have committed to SAF agreements, accounting for around 13 million tonnes of fuel use by 2030. The expected increase in SAF production is attributed to factors such as a global SAF accounting framework and regional feedstock value chains.
Hydrotreatment (HEFA) production technology, utilising inedible animal fats, used cooking oil, and industrial grease as feedstock, is anticipated to represent 85% of SAF facilities coming online in the next five years.
IATA predicts that in 2024, SAF production will triple to 1.875 billion litres, constituting 0.53% of aviation’s fuel requirement and 6% of renewable fuel capacity. Despite the encouraging growth, IATA Director General Willie Walsh emphasised that SAF’s share of renewable fuel production will only increase from 3% in 2023 to 6% in 2024. To meet the ambitious goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, Walsh stressed the need for governments to prioritize policies incentivising SAF production scaling and diversifying feedstocks locally.
IATA, representing over 300 airlines, including Air India and IndiGo, underscores the importance of continued efforts to make aviation more sustainable through increased SAF production.