The Air Transport Action Group (ATAG), which includes 275 airlines worldwide represented by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), airframe and engine manufacturers, airports, and air navigation service providers, put forth a goal of carbon neutral growth from 2020 as well as the goal to reduce net carbon emissions by 50% relative to 2005 levels by 2050. Since then, the ATAG has expanded its efforts through the “Aviation Benefits Beyond Borders” initiative and has committed to net zero carbon emissions in global civil aviation operations by 2050. Notably, CAAFI’s industry sponsors, A4A, AIA and ACI-NA, are part of the ATAG coalition. ATAG’s four-pillar strategy of advancing technology, operations, infrastructure, and an appropriate market-based measure expressly calls for SAF to be a significant contributor toward achieving these goals.

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​The industry goals have since been reflected in the goals of the global aviation community through the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).  ICAO, a United Nations Specialized Agency, is the globally recognized forum for establishing standards and recommended practices for civil aviation. ICAO works to achieve its vision of safe, secure, and sustainable development of civil aviation through cooperation amongst its member States. It includes 193 Contracting States and 86 International Organizations.  The environmental protection component is supported by the Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP), which is a standing technical committee of the ICAO Council. More than 600 internationally-renowned experts are involved in ICAO CAEP activities and working groups, including many members of CAAFI’s Steering Group and Leadership Team.

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 The goal of carbon neutral growth from 2020 was adopted by the Member States of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). In 2009, ICAO also agreed to a basket of measures as a comprehensive approach to reaching this goal, comprised of technical, operational, and infrastructure enhancements; sustainable aviation fuels; and the development of a global market-based measure (GMBM) as a gap-filler. In 2016, ICAO decided to implement the “Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation” (CORSIA) as the GMBM applying to CO2 emissions from international aviation. Inherent in the structure of CORSIA are the benefits of SAF to support the achievement of the international aviation industry’s goal. 

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​In October 2017, ICAO held the Second ICAO Conference on Aviation and Alternative Fuels (CAAF2). This international conference agreed on the 2050 ICAO Vision of having a significant proportion of conventional aviation fuels to be substituted with sustainable aviation fuels by 2050. The participating States agreed that the Vision will be periodically reviewed to assess progress with a view to updating the Vision.  In 2022, ICAO member States agreed to the aspirational goal of net zero carbon emissions in international aviation by 2050.

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Several countries have established mandates for using SAF, including the following:  

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• UK – 2% of domestically supplied jet fuel must be SAF by 2025. This increases to 10% in 2030 and 22% in 2040. 

• EU – 2% in 2025 increasing to 70% in 2050. 

• France – 1% in 2022, 1.5% in 2024, 2% in 2025 to align with EU mandate.

• Germany – 0.5% in 2026, 1% in 2028, 2% in 2030.

• Norway – 0.5% of all aviation fuels sold in Norway since 2020, 30% SAF blend by 2030.

• Sweden – 1% SAF blend in 2021, aligns with EU mandate for remaining timeline. 

• India – 1% by 2027, 2% by 2028, 5% by 2030.

• Japan (planned) – 10% by 2030. 

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Others are also anticipated.

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