IATA calls on govts to back sustainable jet fuel

IATA calls on govts to back sustainable jet fuel

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has called on governments worldwide to support the development of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) as a critical step to cut net emissions to half 2005 levels by 2050.This target was reinforced by a resolution at IATA's 76th Annual General Meeting which also commits the industry to exploring pathways to net zero emissions.“We have long known that an energy transition to SAF is the game-changer. But energy transitions need government support. The cost of SAF is too high and supplies too limited. This crisis is the opportunity to change that. Putting economic stimulus funds behind the development of a large-scale, competitive SAF market would be a triple win—creating jobs, fighting climate change and sustainably connecting the world,” said Alexandre de Juniac, Director General and CEO of IATA.Government stimulus packages could help promote SAF through direct investment, loan guarantees and incentives for the private sector, as well as regulations that channel feedstock towards hard-to-abate sectors such as aviation rather than to other low-carbon transport industries.The aim of stimulus funds would be to create a competitive market. Currently SAF is on average between 2-4 times more expensive than fossil fuels with current global production of about 100