The International Air Transport Association (IATA) predicts an increase in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production. The association estimates SAF to double to over 600 million litres in 2023, and to 1.875 billion litres in 2024.
This surge is crucial as the global aviation industry intensifies efforts for decarbonization, with sustainable fuel playing a pivotal role.
Hemant Mistry, Director, Net-Zero Transaction, IATA, said 43 airlines worldwide have committed to SAF agreements. This will account for about 13 million tonnes of fuel use by 2030. Factors like regional feedstock value chains and a global accounting framework are responsible for the anticipated increase in SAF production.
IATA pegs the SAF production to triple to 1.875 billion liters by 2024. This will account for 0.53% of aviation fuel requirements and 6% of renewable fuel capacity.
Willie Walsh, Director General, IATA, predicted a slight increase in SAF’s renewable fuel production from 3% in 2023 to 6% in 2024, despite positive developments. He emphasized the importance of prioritizing policies, scaling production, and local feedstock diversification to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
It must be noted that the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) recently established a global framework to increase sustainable aviation fuel production. The objective is to reduce carbon intensity by 5% by 2030. It will take the production of about 17.5 billion liters of SAF to meet this goal.