The U.K.’s sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) mandate was signed into law on Nov. 18 and is set to come into force on Jan. 1, 2025. The government has also launched a new Jet Zero Taskforce to revamp efforts to make greener air travel a reality.
The U.K. first announced plans to implement a SAF mandate in mid-2021. The Department of Transport in 2023 opened a public comment period on a proposed SAF mandate. The government earlier this year confirmed plans to move forward with the mandate.
The now finalized SAF Mandate will require 2% SAF beginning in 2025, ramping up to 22% by 2040. Hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids will be allowed to contribute up to 100% of SAF demand in 2025 and 2026, decreasing to 71% in 2030 and 35% in 2040. A requirement for SAF produced via power-to-liquid (PtL) technology will be introduced starting in 2028 at 0.2% of total jet fuel demand, increasing to 2.5% of total jet fuel demand in 2040.
The Jet Zero Taskforce builds on the previous Jet Zero Council and aims to support the production and delivery of SAF and zero emissions fuels, as well as look at how to improve aviation systems to make them more efficient. It will also explore the sector’s demand for greenhouse gas (GHG) removals and the non-CO2 impacts of aviation, such as vapor trails left in the sky, to account for the sector’s overall environmental impact. The taskforce will include high-level government officials along with the CEOs of major airlines, such as easyJet and Virgin, airports like Heathrow and Manchester, as well as fuel producers, trade bodies and leading universities.
The taskforce is set to hold its first meeting on Dec. 4. According to the U.K. government, SAF will be high on the agenda. Additional information is available on the U.K. Department of Transport website.
