EAC comment: Sustainable aviation fuel progress is positive, but momentum must be maintained

Responding to the Government's announcement of details of the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) mandate, Environmental Audit Committee member Jerome Mayhew said:

“I warmly welcome the Secretary of State's confirmation of measures to support sustainable aviation fuel in the UK through this mandate. I look forward to seeing the relevant secondary legislation laid in Parliament.

“As the Committee recently noted, the Government must take care to hold the aviation industry to account on its sustainability goals.

“The mandate will require at least 22% of UK aviation fuel demand to be provided by SAF by 2040, in line with the Government's preferred “high ambition” scenario for SAF use in the Jet Zero Strategy. Under this scenario, at least 50% of UK aviation fuel demand by 2050 ought to be sustainable; the necessary rate of climb remains steep.

“The Government remains focused on avoiding the need to reduce demand for flights. But the Committee has been clear: if the industry cannot deliver on its proposed emission savings, the Government may have to reconsider demand management measures.”