Sustainable Aviation Fuel: Soaring Towards a Greener Sky

Introduction

The aviation sector is responsible for around 2–3% of global greenhouse gas emissions today, making a notable contribution to global carbon emissions. With commercial aviation projected to grow further, this figure could escalate significantly. Enter sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)—a revolutionary alternative to traditional jet fuel. The adoption of SAF is a direct response to growing environmental concerns within the aviation industry. SAF is derived from renewable feedstocks such as waste cooking oil, municipal solid waste, and advanced bio-crops, offering up to 80% reductions in lifecycle carbon emissions compared to conventional jet fuel. As a member of the broader category of aviation fuels, SAF represents a shift from conventional fossil-based options to more sustainable, low-carbon alternatives. This blog explores:

1. What is SAF?

2. Importance of transitioning to greener fuel

3. Overcoming challenges

4. The road ahead

Let’s dive in.

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What is SAF?

Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is part of the broader category of sustainable aviation fuels and refers to drop-in liquid fuels compatible with existing aircraft engines and infrastructure, unlike biofuels which may require new engines. In contrast to conventional aviation fuels, SAF offers significant reductions in carbon emissions and environmental impact.

Key types of these advanced fuels include:

• HEFA (Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids) from fats, oils, and grease

• FT (Fischer–Tropsch) synthetic paraffinic kerosene from municipal solid waste or cellulosic biomass

• ATJ (Alcohol-to-jet) using ethanol or butanol using agricultural residues

• SPK (Synthetic paraffinic kerosene) derived via various thermochemical processes

SAF is a renewable fuel derived from sustainable sources such as waste oils, agricultural residues, and municipal solid waste, supporting the transition to lower-carbon aviation.

At their core, these fuels must meet ASTM D7566 standards to ensure safety, performance, and compatibility with existing jet fuel infrastructure.

The Importance of the Transition to Greener Fuel

1. Lifecycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions

SAF offers dramatic emissions reductions over its lifecycle:

Fuel Type	CO₂e Emissions (g/MJ)	Reduction Compared to Jet A
Conventional Jet A	~95	—
HEFA	20–30	~70–80%
FT-SPK	35–40	~60–65%

These lifecycle analyses take into account feedstock cultivation, processing, transport, and combustion.

2. Alignment with Aviation’s Net Zero Emission Goals

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) aims for net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Achieving this will require:

• 65% reduction in emissions intensity

• Sustainable Aviation Fuel contributing up to 50% of reductions

• Carbon offsetting and technological improvements bridging the remainder

SAF is central to this transition.

3. Reducing Dependency on Fossil Jet Fuel

Global aviation relies heavily on refined crude oil, subject to geopolitical volatility and supply risks. SAF:

• Diversifies supply

• Shields airlines from fuel price shocks

• Promotes investments in renewable energy and advanced bio-production

4. Positive Environmental Impact

Beyond CO₂ reductions, SAF produces:

• Fewer particulate emissions

• Lower sulfur content, reducing acid rain

• Cleaner combustion, helping lung health

Jet Fuel Comparison

The shift from conventional jet fuel to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) marks a pivotal step for the aviation industry in its journey toward a more sustainable future. Conventional jet fuel, derived from fossil fuels, has long been the backbone of air travel but is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. In contrast, sustainable aviation fuel SAF is produced from renewable resources such as waste oils, agricultural residues, and municipal solid waste, offering a promising alternative that can dramatically reduce the aviation industry’s carbon footprint.

One of the most significant advantages of SAF is its ability to cut lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% compared to traditional jet fuel. This reduction is crucial as the aviation sector seeks to align with net zero emissions targets by 2050. As air travel demand continues to rise, the need for a more sustainable aviation fuel becomes increasingly urgent. By replacing fossil-based jet fuel with SAF, the aviation industry can not only reduce its environmental impact but also support a more resilient and sustainable aviation industry for the foreseeable future.

SAF’s compatibility with existing infrastructure and aircraft means it can be adopted without major changes to current operations, making it a practical and scalable solution. As the aviation world looks to combat climate change and secure a more sustainable future, the transition from conventional jet fuel to sustainable aviation fuel stands out as a critical strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and ensuring greener skies for generations to come.

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Overcoming Challenges

1. Feedstock Availability & Sustainability

Competing demands for crops, food security, and land use present ongoing concerns. Sustainable feedstocks include:

• Waste cooking oil: no land use competition

• Municipal solid waste: turning trash into fuel

• Agricultural residues: like corn stover and sugarcane bagasse

• Energy crops: algae or purpose-grown cellulosic biomass

All must be certified for low indirect land use change (iLUC) to ensure genuine carbon savings.

2. Production Capacity & Cost

Current SAF production is tiny—only ~0.1% of aviation fuel demand. Factors include:

• High initial CapEx for production plants

• Feedstock costs 2–4× traditional jet fuel

• Scale needed: by 2030, ~100 million tonnes/year

The Inflation Reduction Act (U.S.) and EU’s ReFuelEU mandates are creating essential policy support.

3. Infrastructure and Certification

SAF is drop-in compatible, but regulatory hurdles include:

• ASTM approval for new feedstock pathways

• Distribution protocols to prevent fuel contuation

• Adjusting quality-check infrastructure at airports

4. Airline and Fuel Producer Coordination

Airlines need long-term offtake agreements to justify CAPEX. Fuel producers require:

• Feedstock security

• Policy incentives

• Collaborative platforms like AFRA and CORSIA

Carbon Offsetting and Complementary Strategies

While sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is at the heart of the aviation industry’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, carbon offsetting and other complementary strategies play an essential supporting role. Carbon offsetting allows airlines and passengers to balance out their carbon footprint by investing in projects that remove or reduce greenhouse gas emissions elsewhere—such as reforestation, renewable energy, or methane capture initiatives. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) recognizes carbon offsetting as a key component of the aviation industry’s strategy to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

In addition to SAF adoption and carbon offsetting, airlines and fuel producers are pursuing a range of other measures to further reduce aviation emissions. These include investing in fuel-efficient aircraft, optimizing flight operations, and improving air traffic management to minimize unnecessary fuel burn. By combining these approaches, the aviation sector can maximize its progress toward a more sustainable future and significantly reduce its overall environmental impact.

Ultimately, while carbon offsetting and operational improvements are valuable tools, sustainable aviation fuel remains the most promising long-term solution for decarbonizing air travel. Together, these strategies form a comprehensive approach to combat climate change and move the aviation industry closer to its sustainability goals.

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The Road Ahead

Market Growth and Investment

Global SAF capacity is poised to grow 20–30× over the decade. Notable case studies:

Case Study: Neste and Singapore Airlines

• In 2024, Neste supplied 100% SAF-mixed flights for Singapore Airlines across key routes, demonstrating commercial viability.

Case Study: LanzaTech & Virgin Atlantic

• Using carbon captured from steel mills, LanzaTech converted it into ethanol and then to SAF—powered UK–US flights in 2023.

Technological Advancements to Watch

• Power‑to‑Liquid (PtL): green hydrogen + CO₂ conversion

• Algae and synthetic biology: high-yield biofactories

• Digital traceability: blockchain for feedstock and lifecycle separation

Policy and Regulation

• U.S. IRA offers $1–1.75/gal tax credits

• EU mandates 2% SAF by 2025, up to 70% by 2050

• CORSIA: airlines required to offset emissions from international travel

Industry Collaboration & Supply Chain Development

• Partnerships like Honeywell UOP + IHI for FT biofuels

• Airports installing on-site SAF tanks to streamline fueling

• Airlines offering voluntary SAF options enabling travelers to offset flights

Raising Public Awareness

Public awareness is a powerful catalyst for change in the journey toward a more sustainable aviation industry. As the aviation sector works to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve net zero emissions, it is essential for industry stakeholders, governments, and fuel producers to actively educate the public about the benefits of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and the importance of a more sustainable future for air travel.

Effective public awareness campaigns can drive demand for SAF, encouraging airlines to increase SAF adoption and fuel producers to scale up SAF production. When travelers understand the environmental benefits of SAF and the role it plays in reducing the aviation industry’s carbon footprint, they are more likely to choose airlines that offer SAF options or participate in programs that offset flight emissions. This growing demand can accelerate the transition to a more sustainable aviation sector and support the widespread adoption of SAF.

By prioritizing education and outreach, the aviation industry can inspire behavioral change, foster greater investment in sustainable aviation, and build momentum toward achieving its sustainability goals. As the world moves toward a more sustainable future, raising public awareness about SAF will be key to ensuring greener skies and a cleaner planet for all.

Share, Educate, Inspire

Encourage travelers, industry stakeholders, and policymakers to:

1. Choose airlines offering SAF flights

2. Advocate for SAF-friendly policies

3. Invest in SAF startups or mandates

Conclusion

Sustainable aviation fuel represents a vital bridge to a sustainable future—enabling the aviation industry to reduce its carbon footprint, enhance energy security, and drive innovation. While challenges remain—like scaling up production and feedstock sourcing—ongoing policy support, technological progress, and cross-sector collaboration are propelling SAF toward mainstream adoption.

Together, we can transform air travel into a flagship solution for global decarbonization and keep our skies green.

External Resources

• International Air Transport Association (IATA)

• European Commission on ReFuelEU Aviation