
London, UK – In a decisive move to combat climate change, the UK Parliament has approved the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligations (SAF) Order 2024, establishing a mandate that will drive the adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) across the country. The order sets ambitious targets for SAF integration, beginning with a 2% requirement for jet fuel in 2025 and escalating to 22% by 2040. This mandate positions the UK as a leader in global efforts to decarbonize the aviation sector.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel, a critical component in reducing the carbon footprint of air travel, offers up to a 70% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional fossil jet fuel on a life-cycle basis. This mandate reflects the UK government’s commitment to addressing the urgent climate challenge while seizing economic opportunities associated with the development of new technologies.
The SAF mandate is expected to deliver a range of economic benefits. Industry experts estimate that by 2050, the SAF sector could generate up to 60,000 jobs and contribute £10 billion annually to the UK economy. This economic potential is underpinned by the government’s additional support measures, including the advanced fuel fund, which provides £135 million in grant funding to support the development of SAF production plants.
Technical and Economic Impacts
The Renewable Transport Fuel Obligations (SAF) Order 2024 stipulates that all SAF used under the mandate must meet stringent sustainability criteria. This includes the requirement that SAF be derived from residual waste, recycled carbon fuels, or low-carbon hydrogen, ensuring that the fuel contributes to genuine carbon reductions. Additionally, the SAF must comply with the ‘additionality’ rules outlined in the Renewable Energy Directive II (RED II), which ensure that the electricity used in SAF production is both renewable and additional to existing power generation.
The legislation also introduces a tradeable certificate scheme that rewards SAF suppliers based on the greenhouse gas emissions reductions their fuels achieve. These certificates can be used by jet fuel suppliers to meet their obligations or traded within the industry, creating a financial incentive for the production and use of SAF.
“The UK’s SAF mandate is one of the world’s most ambitious frameworks to drive demand for sustainable aviation fuel, setting a clear path towards decarbonizing the aviation sector.”
Moreover, the SAF mandate is part of a broader governmental strategy to decarbonize the aviation sector. This strategy includes plans for airspace modernization, which will further reduce emissions by optimizing flight paths and reducing congestion. The government has also announced the introduction of a revenue support certainty mechanism, designed to incentivize investment in new SAF production facilities, ensuring the UK remains a global leader in this rapidly growing industry.
Environmental and Legislative Context
The approval of the SAF mandate is a key component of the UK’s broader decarbonization strategy, which aligns with the government’s ambition to become a clean energy superpower. The mandate is expected to contribute significantly to the UK’s climate goals, reducing aviation emissions by up to 2.7 megatonnes of CO2 equivalents by 2030 and by up to 6.3 megatonnes by 2040.
In addition to the SAF mandate, the UK government is taking steps to address the full climate impact of aviation, including non-CO2 effects such as persistent contrails, NOx, and soot particles. These non-CO2 emissions are significant contributors to global warming, accounting for two-thirds of aviation’s total climate impact. The government’s commitment to monitoring, reporting, and verifying these emissions from 2025 underscores its comprehensive approach to tackling aviation’s environmental footprint.
The SAF mandate, supported by complementary policies and investments, represents a major advancement in the UK’s journey towards a more sustainable aviation industry. As the world continues to grapple with the challenges of climate change, the UK’s leadership in SAF adoption sets a powerful example for other nations to follow.