- The UK’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Mandate requires SAF to make up 2% of jet fuel in 2025, increasing to 10% by 2030 and 22% by 2040.
- The government will introduce a revenue certainty mechanism to attract investment in UK SAF plants and support industry growth.
- The mandate aims to reduce carbon emissions by 70%, create jobs, and help the UK achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
The UK launched its Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Mandate on January 1, 2025. The government announced the mandate in May 2024, requiring SAF to make up at least 2% of all jet fuel in flights departing from the UK in 2025. The percentage will grow yearly, reaching 10% by 2030 and 22% by 2040.
The government projects that the UK aviation industry will consume around 1.2 million tonnes of SAF annually by 2030. SAF, produced from materials like household waste and cooking oil, can reduce carbon emissions by up to 70% compared to traditional jet fuel.
Aviation Minister Mike Kane praised the mandate as a milestone for greener travel. “Aviation will become a more sustainable form of travel,” he said. “The mandate supports our Plan for Change, boosts the economy, and allows people to travel more sustainably.”
Tim Alderslade, CEO of Airlines UK, emphasised the challenge of meeting the mandate. “Scaling Sustainable Aviation Fuel production will require more feedstocks, cost-cutting incentives, and a revenue certainty mechanism to keep prices low,” he said. Alderslade stressed that these measures are crucial for ensuring compliance.
To support SAF producers, the government will introduce a revenue certainty mechanism. The mechanism will help attract investment in new SAF plants across the UK. It aims to reduce risk and give investors confidence in the sector, ensuring a steady supply of SAF for the aviation industry.
Duncan McCourt, CEO of Sustainable Aviation, welcomed the mandate but urged swift implementation of the revenue mechanism. “We need a strong mechanism to support domestic SAF production,” McCourt said. “Meeting the mandate’s goals and kickstarting UK SAF production this decade is vital.”
The government will launch a consultation on the revenue certainty mechanism later this year. The aim is to design a system to help meet the targets while encouraging investment in SAF production.
The UK government’s SAF mandate forms part of its broader strategy to reduce carbon emissions in the aviation industry. The move signals a commitment to green energy and a shift from fossil fuels. By boosting SAF production, the UK hopes to lead the global transition to sustainable aviation.
The mandate will likely create thousands of jobs in the SAF industry. As flying becomes more popular, the demand for SAF will rise. The government believes this will stimulate job growth, create new economic opportunities, and support the UK’s efforts to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
In addition to the mandate, the revenue certainty mechanism will provide long-term stability for SAF producers. This stability will attract the necessary investments to expand the UK’s SAF production capacity. Without such measures, the industry could struggle to meet the growing demand for sustainable fuel.
With the introduction of the SAF mandate and the upcoming revenue mechanism consultation, the UK has taken significant steps toward decarbonising aviation. The move will likely influence other countries to adopt similar measures, accelerating the worldwide shift toward sustainable air travel.