VIVAERO

UK introduces SAF mandate for 2025

The UK’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) mandate officially came into force yesterday (January 1st). 

By law, this type of fuel must now make up at least 2% of all jet fuel in flights taking off from the UK from 2025, growing year-on-year to 10% by 2030 and 22% by 2040. 

The targets should see around 1.2 million tonnes of SAF supplied to the UK airline industry each year by 2030, said to be enough to circle the globe 3,000 times. 

The UK is one of the first countries in the world to sign such a mandate into law and the country is at the forefront of decarbonising air travel. The directive is also part of the Government’s ‘Plan for Change; milestones, designed to further economic renewal. 

It says the move will support thousands of skilled jobs in every part of the country, deliver economic growth and help make the UK a clean energy superpower.

Minister for Aviation, Mike Kane said: “From this moment on, aviation will be a greener, more sustainable form of travel and today marks a significant milestone for the UK SAF industry. 

“With thousands of jobs supporting the UK SAF industry and flying becoming popular than ever, the mandate will help deliver our Plan for Change helping to grow the economy and giving people the freedom to travel in a more sustainable way.”

Sustainable aviation fuel is made from organic sources, such as materials like household waste or used cooking oil, and produces an average of 70% less carbon emissions than traditional fossil-based aviation fuel.

Tim Alderslade, CEO of Airlines UK, added: “UK airlines support the SAF mandate as both a powerful and practical tool for driving down aviation carbon emissions and a clear signal that the industry is fully committed to a net zero future. Our priority is ensuring airlines have access to the increasing volumes of SAF required to meet the mandate as global demand soars, at the most competitive price possible for consumers.

“The UK mandate is ambitious and scaling SAF production will mean further work to expand eligible feedstocks, incentives to help cut costs and, critically, ensuring the design of the revenue certainty mechanism enables the UK to increase production of advanced fuels this decade whilst keeping costs as low as possible, critical for achieving mandate compliance and avoiding supplier buy-out.”

www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-transport