IATA urges EU policy-makers to go even further in prioritizing sustainable fuels use for air transport

Geneva, 2016-Dec-02 — /Travel PR News/ — The International Air Transport Association (IATA) welcomed the European Commission’s revision of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) to incentivize sustainable fuels, and urged policy-makers to go even further in prioritizing their use for air transport.

The largest user of renewable fuels, the road transport sector, has increasing options to move towards electrification; however, aviation has no technological option but to continue with liquid fuel at the present time. Therefore, there is a strong case for sustainable fuel policies to prioritize air transport, in order to boost supply and reduce costs.

“Aviation is on a path towards carbon-neutral growth and ultimately to reduce emissions in half. Sustainable fuels are an essential element of our carbon-cutting strategy, with the prospect of an 80% decrease in carbon compared to traditional jet fuel. Policies to incentivize the production of such fuels have been successful in the United States and elsewhere. Europe has an opportunity to take the lead in sustainable fuel production if the revised RED contains the right measures,” said Michael Gill, IATA’s Director, Aviation Environment.

The European Commission’s stated aim is for Europe to become the leader in renewable energy, and the revision of the RED offers just such an opportunity. The current challenge with sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) is to boost supply and cut costs. Greater production will help to reduce prices, and reduced prices will encourage greater demand, thus boosting production. To break into this virtuous circle, the RED must strengthen its policy framework to incentivize production of SAF.

“Airlines are absolutely committed to the highest sustainability standards for alternative fuels, to ensure no interference with biodiversity, food production, or clean water resources. We are ready and willing to invest in these fuels and the revision of the RED offers a unique opportunity for Europe to demonstrate what can be achieved when policy-makers and industry combine for a genuinely coordinated approach to climate action and business innovation,” said Gill.

SOURCE: International Air Transport Association (IATA)

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Notes for Editors:

• IATA (International Air Transport Association) represents nearly 265 airlines comprising 83% of global air traffic.
• You can follow us at http://twitter.com/iata2press for news specially catered for the media.
• In October, air transport took a major step towards achieving carbon-neutral growth with the agreement at the International Civil Aviation Organization of a Carbon Offset and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA). Nations representing around 85% of all international air passenger flights have volunteered to join the scheme. Achieving carbon-neutral growth is a first step, but the industry’s longer-term target to reduce CO2 emissions to 50% of 2005 levels will require important changes in technology, operations and infrastructure. Sustainable Aviation Fuels will play a vital role in that process.