As of January 1, 2025, the UK has officially started its journey to make air travel greener with the launch of its Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Mandate
This mandate is part of the Government’s plan to decarbonise aviation, which will contribute significantly to the overall goal of the UK becoming a clean energy superpower.
Sustainable aviation
The SAF Mandate requires that by 2030, 10% of all jet fuel used by UK airlines must come from sustainable sources.
These sources include materials such as household waste and used cooking oil. SAF, which produces up to 70% less carbon emissions than traditional fossil-based jet fuel, is a vital solution to reducing the aviation sector’s environmental impact.
By introducing this mandate, the UK is showing its commitment to a more sustainable aviation industry.
It not only leads to a significant reduction in carbon emissions, but also fosters the development of a domestic SAF industry, which will provide economic benefits through job creation and investment.
Introducing the SAF mandate
By 2030, the UK aims to supply around 1.2 million tonnes of SAF annually, which is enough to circle the globe 3,000 times.
This target will be achieved by gradually increasing the proportion of SAF in aviation fuel, starting with 2% in 2025 and growing to 10% by 2030, with an eventual goal of 22% by 2040.
The SAF Mandate is also important in the Government’s “Plan for Change”, which aims to make the UK a global leader in clean energy.
By driving demand for SAF, the mandate is expected to promote investment in domestic fuel production, create thousands of skilled jobs, and help to meet the UK’s net-zero emissions target for 2050.
It not only leads to a significant reduction in carbon emissions but also enables the development of a domestic SAF industry, which will provide economic benefits through job creation and investment.
The initiative is a step towards ensuring that aviation, a major contributor to global carbon emissions, can contribute to national and global climate goals.
Scaling up SAF production
One of the key challenges in scaling SAF production will be ensuring a stable supply of sustainable feedstocks and managing production costs.
The SAF market is still in its early stages, and as global demand rises, there is a need for a coordinated effort to expand feedstock options and reduce production costs.
This is where the UK government’s planned revenue certainty mechanism comes into effect. This mechanism will provide financial incentives to SAF producers, mitigating investment risks and aiding in the acceleration of UK-based SAF production plants.
This support is essential for ensuring the viability of SAF as a mainstream aviation fuel. Without it, the cost of SAF could remain high, preventing airlines from meeting the mandate and making it difficult for the UK to compete in the growing global SAF market. The certainty mechanism will provide stability for producers, encouraging them to scale up production and meet the demand from UK airlines.
The UK government’s proactive approach to SAF is part of a wider global movement towards cleaner aviation. Other countries are also exploring similar mandates and incentives to drive the use of SAF.
The success of the UK’s SAF Mandate could be a model for other nations to follow, showing the importance of collaborative international efforts to reduce aviation emissions.
As the aviation industry begins to integrate SAF into its fuel supply, it is clear that the UK is positioning itself as a leader in sustainable aviation.
The SAF Mandate is a powerful tool in the fight against climate change, ensuring that air travel becomes more environmentally friendly while supporting the UK’s growing clean energy sector. The road ahead will require continued innovation, investment, and collaboration between the government, industry stakeholders, and consumers to make cleaner flights a reality.
