As air travel begins to grow again after the pandemic, solutions are also being sought for high carbon emissions. A type of fuel called Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is emerging to reduce the carbon footprint of the aviation sector. SAF, which is mainly produced from renewable biomass and waste sources, is said to have the potential to make aviation more sustainable and prevent it from becoming one of the main factors leading to global warming.
FUEL FROM FOOD LEFT
According to a study prepared by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, the use of “Sustainable Aviation Fuel” can reduce most greenhouse gas emissions. The study explains this with the following expressions: “Compared to fossil-based jet fuel, SAF is equivalent to the carbon dioxide absorbed by plants during the growth of biomass feedstocks.” Some typical raw materials used to produce Sustainable Aviation Fuel include used cooking oil, animal fats, solid municipal waste, and specially grown energy crops intended for such purposes.
50 PERCENT DECREASE
The study notes: “In addition to efforts to reduce the carbon footprint, Sustainable Aviation Fuel contains fewer ‘impurities’, such as sulfur, which results in significant reductions in particulate matter emissions at the rear of the aircraft. Previous studies have shown that using just a 50 percent SAF blend can reduce particulate matter by 50-70 percent. According to the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, if the switch to SAF is rolled out globally, it will improve local air quality around airports worldwide and reduce the warming impacts from aviation.“
100 PERCENT TRANSFORMATION IN 2050
The study, which set ambitious SAF targets for the near future, included the following: “For example, the United States aims to produce three billion gallons of SAF per year by 2030 and enough SAF to meet 100 percent of aviation fuel demand by 2050. Achieving these targets will require policy support and financiers willing to invest in new production facilities. Governments on both sides of the Atlantic and in Asia are beginning to implement policies supportive of the SAF.“
TRUMP MAY OBSTACLE
The study, which touches on initiatives launched in the US, includes the following information: “In the US, the Biden administration is working to increase SAF production through the ‘SAF Grand Challenge’ initiative and new tax credits. However, a possible change in the White House in 2025 could mean that the project will not receive support from the Trump administration. Therefore, challenges remain in scaling SAF to the levels needed. These challenges include high production costs and limited sustainable raw materials. Reducing costs will require additional government incentives as well as technological advances. What is certain is that ‘Sustainable Aviation Fuel’ will be essential for the aviation industry to meet its ambitious climate targets. All parties involved must begin working together to address these challenges.”
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