The World Travel & Tourism Council has called on global governments to “get serious” on incentivising Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production.
It is also calling for them to set ambitious targets to produce adequate quantities.
Without meaningful quantities of SAF, WTTC says the aviation sector cannot decarbonise on a scale that will allow it to reach Net Zero by 2050.
SAF is expected to deliver the majority of greenhouse gas abatements needed to achieve net zero by 2050.
Unfortunately, SAF production rates are insufficient to meet demand and prices remain high, despite the recent exponential increase in production.
To address this issue, WTTC is calling on governments to
- Provide strong incentives to encourage investment in SAF production, including tax credits, grants or other financial incentives
- Work with the sector to set ambitious SAF production targets
- Coordinate their actions through the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the specialised UN agency for aviation, to ensure global uniformity in SAF regulations, sustainability standards, procedures, and organisation.
Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “Current SAF production only meets 0.1% to 0.15% of requirement, despite a 200% increase in production in 2022 vs 2021. This leaves a massive gap that can only be filled through rapid and sustained investment.
“At today’s prices, SAF is on average three to five times more expensive than traditional fossil fuels. Governments must address this cost disparity by providing financial support and incentives to make SAF more accessible and affordable. Without those targets and without those incentives, the sector cannot decarbonise.”
In partnership with ICF, WTTC is launching a white paper, demystifying the impact and benefits of SAF for tourism destinations around the world.
The white paper, Sustainable Aviation Fuels: The Implications & Opportunities for Tourism Destinations, sets out three critical actions destinations are advised to undertake to address the challenge and embrace the opportunities of SAF.
