Save for later Print Download Share LinkedIn Twitter Government support for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is ramping up on both sides of the Atlantic, but policymakers in Brussels and Washington are taking very different routes to help decarbonize air transport. The EU is set to announce its SAF blending mandate on Jul. 14, which is intended to guarantee a certain level of demand. The mandate could require a minimum SAF content of 2% from 2025, rising quickly to 10% by 2030. The US, meanwhile, is working on extending its successful diesel blender's tax credit to SAF in order to boost production. Both policy approaches -- and more -- will be needed, if the aviation industry is to meet its target of at least halving carbon emissions from 2005 levels by 2050. Up to 450 million tons per year of SAF could be needed by 2050, according to forecasts published late last year by the Air Transport Action Group (IOD Nov.12'20). Even the most technologically ambitious scenarios involving hydrogen and electric aircraft on short-haul routes still see SAF demand of at least 235 million tons/yr by 2050, up from barely 175,000 tons/yr currently. Government Financing
