A report by Transport & Environment (T&E) highlights the significant challenges facing the aviation industry in adopting sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). According to the report, the majority of airlines (87 percent) are not effectively transitioning to these fuels, which are considered the primary solution for reducing aviation’s environmental impact.
E-kerosene, also known as synthetic kerosene or electrofuel, is a type of sustainable aviation fuel produced from renewable energy sources. The production process involves using renewable electricity for water electrolysis, which produces hydrogen. This hydrogen is then combined with carbon dioxide in a specific process, resulting in liquid fuel suitable for aviation. E-kerosene stands out as the most sustainable and applicable type of SAF, while biofuels derived from biomass, such as those made from food or feed crops like corn, are deemed unsustainable.
An analysis of 77 airlines revealed that only 10 actively seek sustainable alternatives, such as e-kerosene and waste-derived biofuels. The remaining airlines either do not consider SAF a viable option, use the wrong types, or use it in insufficient amounts.
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The study also found that most airlines rely on less sustainable SAF types, with more than 30 percent of airline agreements involving biofuels from food crops, while e-kerosene accounts for less than 10 percent of contracts.
As the report emphasizes, the global adoption of SAF is still far from widespread. In 2023, airlines used only 2.6 million barrels of SAF compared to over 1.6 billion barrels of conventional kerosene, representing less than 0.15 percent of total fuel consumption.
SAF fuels such as e-kerosene and waste-derived biofuels involve more complex and expensive production processes compared to traditional fossil fuels, leading to higher fuel prices that financially strain airlines. Moreover, these fuels are not always readily available in the necessary quantities or at all locations, creating logistical challenges for implementation. This adds to the difficulty of meeting long-term climate neutrality goals.
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