IAG head: UK mandate is not enough on sustainable aviation fuel (opinion)
The UK economy is at a critical turning point in its decarbonisation efforts. Right now, there is an opportunity to boost growth by investing in the technologies that will power the future. One of the industries that will need to transition to lower carbon fuels and technologies is aviation. A key part of UK infrastructure and competitiveness, we act as an economic catalyst for other vital industries. Pre-Covid, the UK’s aviation industry contributed £95bn of the country’s annual gross domestic product. It’s also clear that people want and need to fly, not just for holidays and family but to gain a deeper understanding of other cultures and countries. Travelling is how we make the world a smaller, more inclusive place. Last year, 297m people flew to or from the UK and demand shows no signs of slowing. We recognise that aviation has to be more sustainable. Airline groups including IAG are investing billions in more efficient aircraft as well as new technologies such as hydrogen-powered planes. The most promising technology of all for long-range flying is cleaner jet fuel — or so called sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs). SAFs, which can be produced from a range of byproducts such as used cooking oil and agricultural waste, as well as synthetically from renewable energy, can be used in existing jet engines. These green fuels can reduce lifecycle emissions by about 70%. Currently though, they represent less than 1% of all jet fuel being used. The demand is there. Aviation has an industry-wide commitment to be net zero by 2050, and many airline groups, including IAG, have additional SAF targets. IAG bought 12% of all available SAF globally in 2023, but production in greater volumes is needed and fast. Progress is being made across the Atlantic and in continental Europe. The US has a leading position in SAF production, thanks largely to the Inflation Reduction Act. The Biden administration has committed to supporting the production of 9m tonnes of SAF annually by 2030. Meanwhile, the EU has committed innovation funding worth hundreds of millions of euros aimed at reducing the price gap between conventional jet fuel and SAF. Opinion piece with more.<br/>
https://portal.staralliance.com/cms/news/hot-topics/2024-05-06/oneworld/iag-head-uk-mandate-is-not-enough-on-sustainable-aviation-fuel-opinion
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IAG head: UK mandate is not enough on sustainable aviation fuel (opinion)
The UK economy is at a critical turning point in its decarbonisation efforts. Right now, there is an opportunity to boost growth by investing in the technologies that will power the future. One of the industries that will need to transition to lower carbon fuels and technologies is aviation. A key part of UK infrastructure and competitiveness, we act as an economic catalyst for other vital industries. Pre-Covid, the UK’s aviation industry contributed £95bn of the country’s annual gross domestic product. It’s also clear that people want and need to fly, not just for holidays and family but to gain a deeper understanding of other cultures and countries. Travelling is how we make the world a smaller, more inclusive place. Last year, 297m people flew to or from the UK and demand shows no signs of slowing. We recognise that aviation has to be more sustainable. Airline groups including IAG are investing billions in more efficient aircraft as well as new technologies such as hydrogen-powered planes. The most promising technology of all for long-range flying is cleaner jet fuel — or so called sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs). SAFs, which can be produced from a range of byproducts such as used cooking oil and agricultural waste, as well as synthetically from renewable energy, can be used in existing jet engines. These green fuels can reduce lifecycle emissions by about 70%. Currently though, they represent less than 1% of all jet fuel being used. The demand is there. Aviation has an industry-wide commitment to be net zero by 2050, and many airline groups, including IAG, have additional SAF targets. IAG bought 12% of all available SAF globally in 2023, but production in greater volumes is needed and fast. Progress is being made across the Atlantic and in continental Europe. The US has a leading position in SAF production, thanks largely to the Inflation Reduction Act. The Biden administration has committed to supporting the production of 9m tonnes of SAF annually by 2030. Meanwhile, the EU has committed innovation funding worth hundreds of millions of euros aimed at reducing the price gap between conventional jet fuel and SAF. Opinion piece with more.<br/>
