We can all breathe a little easier, thanks to SAF
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is a cleaner-burning fuel that has the potential to decarbonize aviation.
Fossil fuels are the largest contributor to global climate change, with aviation contributing around 3% of the world’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. In 2021 the International Air Transport Association (IATA) passed a resolution committing the global air transport industry to net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050. Achieving this goal requires a combination of strategies and tactics, with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) as the most viable solution.
IATA estimates that SAF could contribute around 65% of the reduction in emissions needed by aviation to meet the 2050 goal. But what is SAF? How is it made? And why does it matter? Here are five things you need to know about SAF.
- SAF can work in existing aircraft and infrastructure with zero changes and is being used today.
SAF is a safe, drop-in fuel, meaning it can be used with existing aircraft engines and fuel infrastructure. SAF is currently approved at a 50/50 blend level with conventional jet fuel for commercial use. In 2023, SAF accounted for only 0.2% of global jet fuel use, but that percentage is expected to grow. - There are a number of different ways to make SAF.
There are multiple ways to produce SAF and it can be produced from a variety of sustainable resources, called feedstocks. Over its lifecycle, SAF emits the same amount of carbon the feedstock absorbed throughout its life, thus closing the carbon loop. Conventional jet fuel is a fossil fuel and contributes to the global level of CO2 by emitting carbon that was sequestered underground. - SAF is the only way to decarbonize aviation at-scale that exists today, but much more is needed.
SAF can reduce CO2 emissions from air travel and transport by up to 85% over its life cycle, including production, distribution, transportation, and combustion, yet it comprises less than 0.2% of jet fuel today. - There are big plans for SAF.
In 2021 the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the SAF Grand Challenge to increase the production and use of SAF in the United States. The goal is to increase U.S. supply of SAF to 3 billion gallons per year by 2030 and 35 billion gallons per year by 2050, while reducing carbon emissions by at least 50% compared to conventional jet fuel. - World Energy is a leader in the production of SAF production, and our carbon-intensity is best-in-class.
The world’s first commercial-scale producer of SAF, World Energy has been leading the field of renewable fuels for over 25 years. Our SAF is a 100% renewable fuel made entirely of renewable resources and emits up to 85% fewer carbon emissions over its life cycle compared to conventional jet fuel.
Our SAF does not contain fossil-based feedstock, nor is it co-processed with fossil fuel in traditional oil refineries. On top of that, we do not use food crops like corn, soy, and palm oil.
World Energy’s SAF is certified by the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA). Its carbon attributes comply with all state and U.S. federal regulations for advanced biofuels. Our feedstock supply chain and facility management systems are certified by the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB).
Partnering for Change
We continue to partner with industry leaders to drive demand, encourage policy, and to gain approval for pure 100% SAF use in regular commercial aviation. Together we can enable a future of net-zero fossil-free flight.
Everyone has a role to play in reducing carbon emissions, and the clearest path forward is a collaborative approach. While SAF is widely recognized as the single most important tool for the aviation industry to decarbonize, enough is not being produced. Leading corporations have partnered with World Energy to reduce their Scope 1 and 3 emissions from business travel or freight transport through SAF certificates (SAFc). These partnerships are critical for scaling SAF production and fully decarbonizing aviation.
