The Department for Transport has announced funding for UK companies to develop and scale up sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production as well as a Call for Evidence to explore what current global supply projections for different types of sustainable fuel mean for meeting the SAF Mandate’s targets in the coming years.
Responding to the news, Duncan McCourt, Chief Executive of Sustainable Aviation, said:
“Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is a crucial part of our pathway to decarbonising aviation. The UK has a real opportunity to turn SAF into a success story, building a domestic industry that delivers major economic growth, creates jobs, and bolsters our national energy security. We welcome the funding to help scale up domestic production. Securing a sufficient and competitively priced supply of SAF must remain a top priority as demand for SAF increases.
“The Call for Evidence is vital to ensure that the mandate reflects actual supply levels, so that airlines do not face unfair penalties that will simply drive up the cost of air travel with no decarbonisation benefit, and confidence for investors in UK SAF projects is maintained.
“We look forward to working with government to ensure SAF can be supplied as competitively as possible, keeps air travel accessible for consumers while supporting decarbonisation ambitions.”