Negotiators for the EU have agreed to decarbonise the air travel sector through the stimulation of the region’s green aviation fuel market. The agreement, known as the ReFuelEU Aviation proposal will have to be approved by EU countries before it can become law, though this should be a formality.
The new rules will require aviation fuel suppliers to supply a minimum share of sustainable aviation fuels — or SAFs — at EU airports, starting at 2% of overall fuel supplied by 2025. This will rise to 6% by the end of the decade, before climbing to 70% by 2050. The measures will also require aircraft operators departing from EU airports to refuel only with the fuel necessary for the flight to avoid emissions related to extra weight or so-called “tankering” — when operators deliberately carry excess fuel to avoid refuelling with SAF. Also, airports will be required to make sure their infrastructure is fit for purpose when it comes to distributing the synthetic jet fuels.
EU officials described the agreement as a “turning point” and “another important step” for European aviation, saying the measures were designed to reduce reliance on fossil fuel imports and improve energy security.
“Fuel suppliers at EU airports must provide an increasing share of sustainable aviation fuels and aircraft operators increase their use,” Frans Timmermans, Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal, said in a statement. “The EU is ready for take-off towards a more sustainable future for aviation,” he added. For aviation to align itself with the Paris climate accord and curb global heating, it will have to completely move away from fossil fuels in the long term. One of the ways that the sector is seeking to replace conventional fossil jet fuel is by exploring the use of SAF.
