The blending mandate proposed by the EU Commission as part of the Fit for 55 package is a key measure to achieving the Paris climate targets. To reduce the climate impact of aviation, a rapid market rampup of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) is necessary within this decade. Therefore, aireg advocates an increase of the blending quota for SAF to 10% in 2030 and of the PtL sub-quota to 2% in 2030. aireg and numerous other industry partners (most recently WEF/CST “2030 Ambition Statement”) consider a corresponding development of production capacities to be realistic.
However, this development will only take place if all available technologies and feedstock are used. The feedstock used must meet clear sustainability criteria. To ensure that sustainable flying is available to all, measures to reduce the climate impact of aviation must be designed to be cost-effective and open to new technologies. Therefore, aireg supports the proposal of a general quota and a sub-quota for power-to-liquid (PtL) aviation fuels.
In addition to the blending quota for SAF, the Fit-for-55 package for aviation also includes proposals for adjusting the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) in aviation and for adjusting the Renewable Energies Directive (RED). For these a cost-effective and competitively neutral design is essential.#
Under the right conditions, an adjustment of the EU ETS can favor the use of sustainable aviation fuels. However, even a relatively high certificate price will not yet be able to offset the price difference between fossil fuels and SAF. Therefore, revenues from the EU ETS should be used to provide financial incentives to buyers and producers.
Melanie Form, Executive Director of aireg, states: “Sustainable aviation fuels are indispensable for reducing the climate impact of air traffic. To meet climate targets, we need large volumes (beyond 5 million tons) of advanced, sustainable aviation fuels in 2030. Increasing the blending mandate can help them achieve a market breakthrough. It is important that the quota takes into account all available technology and feedstock options that meet strict sustainability criteria. Competitive disadvantages due to ineffective incentive systems must be avoided – otherwise financial resources urgently needed for the energy transition will be lacking.”
About aireg e.V:
aireg – Aviation Initiative for Renewable Energy in Germany e.V. was founded in 2011 as an association of companies and organizations from industry, research and science. As a non-profit initiative, aireg is committed to the availability and use of renewable energies in aviation in order to achieve the ambitious CO₂ reduction targets of the aviation industry. The members come from all areas of the value chain of renewable energies for aviation: This ranges from research at universities and large research institutions, plant manufacturers and operators, biorefineries, the petroleum industry, engine and aircraft manufacturers, government organizations, non-governmental organizations and airports to airlines. The industrial members cover a broad international spectrum from start-ups to large corporations.
Contact:
Melanie Form
Member of the Board // Managing Director
E-Mail: melanie.form@aireg.de
Tel.: +49 (0) 178 184 30 31