UK Sustainable Aviation Fuel mandate comes into force

The UK Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Mandate came into force on New Year’s Day, meaning SAF must now make up at least 2% of all jet fuel in flights taking off from the UK. Under the new law this is set to grow year-on-year to 10% by 2030 and 22% by 2040.

SAF is made from sustainable 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.

The government has also confirmed it will introduce a revenue certainty mechanism for SAF producers designed to attract investment in new UK production facilities. Working alongside the mandate, the government says this will help to reduce risk, give investors the confidence they need to invest in UK SAF plants and encourage the supply of SAF for the UK aviation sector.

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.”

Tim Alderslade, CEO of Airlines UK, the trade body for UK registered airlines said, “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.”

Karen Dee, Chief Executive of AirportsUK, the trade body for UK airports, added, “The SAF Mandate is an important step towards decarbonising air travel and we are pleased the government has continued the work of its predecessor to implement it.

“Aviation knows it must reduce carbon emissions and the mandate is something that it has long called for to help establish production of cleaner fuels. We will continue to work with all parties to ensure there is homegrown supply and that the UK benefits from this new industry through jobs and investment.

Duncan McCourt, Chief Executive of Sustainable Aviation, said, “SAF is a critical component in the industry’s plan to reach net zero, representing almost 40% of the carbon reduction that will make net zero a reality in 2050.

“Alongside the mandate, we also need a well-designed revenue certainty mechanism to help accelerate domestic SAF production and support compliance with the mandate, by kickstarting UK SAF production in earnest this decade. We look forward to the upcoming consultation and to the mechanism being delivered into law as soon as possible.”