SAF is a liquid fuel currently used in commercial aviation that can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 80%. Where fossil fuels add to the overall level of CO2 by emitting carbon that had been previously locked away, SAF recycles CO2 that has been absorbed by the biomass used in the feedstock during the course of its life. SAF can be produced from a number of sources (feedstock) including waste oil and fats, green and municipal waste and non-food crops, as well as synthetically (direct carbon capture).
The state of sustainable aviation fuel in 2021 (per IATA):
○sed in over 360,000 flights and expected to exceed 1 million flights by 2025 (use in commercial flights began in 2011)
>36 countries with SAF policies, in 2016 there were only 2
7 technical pathways, by 2025 it is anticipated there will be 11
Global annual supply (2021) of ~100 million litres, by 2025 it anticipated to reach 5 billion litres
US$13 billion in forward purchases, expected to exceed US$30 billion by 2025
Contribution to Achieving Net Zero Carbon in 2050
Expected SAF Required for Net Zero 2050
