Mandate sets 2030 date for use of sustainable aviation fuel

Subject to parliamentary approval, the UK’s SAF mandate will come into force in January 2025.

Following consultations with industry, the government has committed to targets that will see around 1.2 million tonnes of SAF supplied to the UK airline industry annually.

It is estimated that a UK SAF industry would add over £1.8bn to the economy and create over 10,000 jobs across the country. 

This comes following £135m of recent funding allocated through the Advanced Fuels Fund, supporting the growth of 13 SAF projects nationally.

In a statement, transport secretary Mark Harper said:  ”Sustainable aviation fuel protects the future of UK aviation, the thousands of British jobs that depend on it, and the holidays and business travel flights that we all rely on.

“As part of our plan to grow the economy, the measures announced…will give both UK aviation and the UK SAF industry the certainty they need to keep creating skilled British jobs while giving passengers the freedom to continue travelling by air in a way that’s fit for the future.”

SAF is claimed to produce up to 70 per cent less carbon emissions than the traditional fossil fuels used in most commercial flights. It is made from waste materials or by-products including household waste, industrial gases or used cooking oil.

The government has also launched a consultation into a range of options for a SAF revenue certainty scheme. The consultation includes a preferred option of a guaranteed strike price (GSP) for producers.

Karen Dee, chief executive of the Airport Operators Association, said: “We are pleased that the government has brought forward proposals for a mandate and revenue certainty scheme, that will send the message to investors that the UK is serious about developing its own production facilities. Government and industry must now work together to keep this momentum towards delivery going so that we can grow sustainably and meet our carbon targets.”