Addressing the carbon footprint problem through Sustainable Aviation Fuels

In 2021 aviation accounted for over 2% of global energy-related CO2 emissions, having grown faster in recent decades than road, rail, or shipping. As countries emerged from Covid-19 lockdowns, aviation emissions in 2022 reached around 740 Mt (estimated).

Aviation is also an important source of air pollutants, especially nitrogen oxides (NOX) and particulate matter (PM). In absolute terms, NOX emissions from aviation have almost tripled since 1990, and their relative share has quadrupled, as other economic sectors have achieved significant reductions. For emissions of PM, the total share from aviation is less than 1% while it accounted for 5% from the transport sector.

Emissions of PM have slightly increased since 2000. The carbon monoxide (CO) and oxides of sulphur (SOX) emissions from aviation have also increased since 1990, while these emissions from most other transport modes have fallen.

By destination region, countries of the EU27+EFTA account for the largest number of flights (76.9%), as well as the highest amount of CO2 emissions (38.6%). Other European countries follow, with 14.5% of total flights and 11.8% of global aviation CO2 emissions. The North Atlantic region accounts for 2.1% of flights and 15.4% of CO2 emissions. North Africa receives 2% of flights, which represents 2.1% of carbon emissions.

Southern Africa accounts for 3.4% of CO2 emissions with 0.5% of total flights. Finally, the Middle East receives 1.9% of aviation trips (7.2% CO2), and the Mid and South Atlantic both account for 0.7% of flights and 3.1% and 4.5% of CO2 emissions, respectively.

The aviation impact, in an industry that is growing 47% in terms of passengers carried in 2022 compared to 2021 and will rapidly recover to pre-pandemic levels on most routes this year, could be mitigated in the long term with Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF). SAF is an umbrella term for fuels derived from non-fossil sources or feedstock. These fuels are produced through a process that closes the carbon cycle, resulting in a significant reduction in life-cycle emissions relative to traditional jet fuel.

What has been happening in the SAF market?

The global sustainable aviation fuel market size moved from $155 million in 2021 to $186 million in 2022 expanding the industry in 20% YoY.  The growing support from various governments and the increasing effectiveness of sustainable aviation fuel is driving the growth of the market for renewable fuels. 

A recent tracking of the SAF market found that there are 65 airports distributing sustainable fuels, 28 policies adopted or under development, and 42.3 billion liters of SAF under offtake agreements. This year, 12 new agreements were added, following a record of 42 in 2022.

References

1. SAF Offtake Agreements [Internet]. 2023  May 18 [cited 2023 Jun 13]. Available from: https://www.icao.int/environmental-protection/GFAAF/Pages/Offtake-Agreements.aspx
2. SAF Tracking Tools [Internet]. 2023  May 26 [cited 2023 Jun 13]. Available from: https://www.icao.int/environmental-protection/pages/SAF.aspx
3. European Aviation Environmental Report [Internet]. 2023  February 17 [cited 2023 Jun 16]. Available from: https://www.easa.europa.eu/eco/sites/default/files/2023-02/230217_EASA%20EAER%202022.pdf