Sustainable Aviation Fuels:
A 30,000 Foot Perspective
Chapter 5
Regulatory and Policy Frameworks
Section 5.8
China's Five-Year Plan: Steering Towards Sustainable Aviation

China’s 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) emphasizes sustainability and green development, potentially impacting SAF production and use. Key objectives include transitioning to cleaner energy sources, promoting technological innovation, committing to peak CO2 emissions by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060, developing biofuel industries, and modernizing infrastructure. While not exclusively focused on SAFs, the plan’s goals support SAF development, potentially influencing global trends in sustainable aviation.

China’s 14th Five-Year Plan, covering the period from 2021 to 2025, marks a significant chapter in the country’s development trajectory. As part of this plan, China has emphasized sustainability and green development, including initiatives that could impact the production and use of SAFs.

China’s 14th Five-Year Plan: SAF and Environmental Goals:

The plan sets forth objectives for substantial economic growth while addressing environmental concerns. In the context of SAFs, this includes:

  • Energy Transition Goals: Shifting towards cleaner energy sources, which may involve increasing the use of biofuels in various sectors, including aviation.
  • Innovation and Research: Focusing on technological innovation to improve energy efficiency and developing alternative fuels, which could pave the way for advancements in SAF technologies.
  • Climate Commitments: China has committed to peak CO2 emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060, goals that align with increasing SAF usage to reduce the aviation industry’s carbon footprint.
  • Industry Development: The plan potentially includes strategies for developing biofuel industries, which would encompass SAF production, thus reducing dependency on imported oil and enhancing energy security.
  • Infrastructure Modernization: Modernizing industrial infrastructure to be more environmentally friendly, which would likely include the facilities and processes involved in SAF production and distribution.China Great Wall

Impact of China’s Plan on Global Sustainable Aviation:

While the Five-Year Plan does not exclusively focus on SAFs, the overarching goals for environmental sustainability and energy innovation provide a framework within which SAF development could be supported and expanded. China’s plans often influence global market trends, and its engagement in SAFs could significantly impact the international landscape for sustainable aviation.