Take sustainable aviation gasoline (SAF). This authorities, and the conservatives earlier than them, proudly introduced their goal for 2030 is that SAF constitutes 10% of all gasoline flights that depart the UK. A excessive ambition, however how reasonable is it?
In line with the Mabrian journey intelligence specialist, the European aviation carbon footprint grew 16% in 2023, and the UK represents 18% of emissions associated to Europe aviation. Definitely, this footprint can have grown in 2024 and can do it once more in 2025 judging by the capability walks we’re seeing.
We’d like, and we deserve, understanding how a lot an airline emissions will develop while you announce capability will increase. How a lot of this development in emissions will probably be mitigated by the small quantity of SAF ordered between now and 2030?
NGOs warn that not the whole lot is what it appears concerning messaging round SAF. What’s going to inform is how it’s manufactured, and what quantity will come from the uncooked materials and digital meals: artificial fuels fabricated from renewable power sources akin to wind or photo voltaic or carbon seize.
If SAF comes from fossil fuels, they are going to launch each CO2 and kerosene. There will definitely be skepticism in regards to the sustainability of the manufacturing of digital fuels as properly.