Sustainable Aviation Fuel Policy

24 Oct 2025 | Committee report linked

If the Government proceeds with airport expansion it should set out to the Committee in its response to this report, in-depth analysis on: • How it will ensure carbon costs will reach the level the Government expected in the Jet Zero Strategy. It should also set out a realistic timeline and a plan in the event that these targets become unachievable; 46 • The emissions savings it considers can be delivered by the aviation sector through technological development such as Sustainable Aviation Fu...

If the Government proceeds with airport expansion it should set out to the Committee in its response to this report, in-depth analysis on: • How it will ensure carbon costs will reach the level the Government expected in the Jet …

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24 Oct 2025 | Committee report linked

The Government should ensure that the aviation sector pays its fair share towards mitigating its carbon emissions and the benefits it receives in comparison to other sectors. Aviation should be included in Emissions Trading Schemes and the government should include the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuels within the ETS. (Recommendation, Paragraph 112)

The Government should ensure that the aviation sector pays its fair share towards mitigating its carbon emissions and the benefits it receives in comparison to other sectors. Aviation should be included in Emissions Trading Schemes and the government should include …

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21 Dec 2023 | Committee report linked

The outputs from the modelling undertaken by the Climate Change Committee, the Government and Sustainable Aviation vary as to the projections of likely emissions reductions from UK aviation by 2050. In some instances these variations are substantial, and tend to reduce overall confidence in the reliability of the projections from each source. (Paragraph 52) Net zero and the UK aviation sector 51

The outputs from the modelling undertaken by the Climate Change Committee, the Government and Sustainable Aviation vary as to the projections of likely emissions reductions from UK aviation by 2050. In some instances these variations are substantial, and tend to …

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21 Dec 2023 | Committee report linked

We recommend that the Government work with the Climate Change Committee and Sustainable Aviation on a comparative analysis of the models underpinning the projections for UK aircraft emissions, so as to reach consensus, as far as possible, on the likely impact of measures to be taken by industry and by Government on levels of emissions from UK aviation out to 2050. (Paragraph 53) ‘Jet Zero’—the UK Government’s strategy for net zero aviation

We recommend that the Government work with the Climate Change Committee and Sustainable Aviation on a comparative analysis of the models underpinning the projections for UK aircraft emissions, so as to reach consensus, as far as possible, on the likely …

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21 Dec 2023 | Committee report linked

We agree with the Climate Change Committee that the 0.5% year-on-year improvement in fuel efficiency from the aircraft fleet requires considerable effort both in research and development activity and in incentivising the industry to renew existing aircraft fleets.

We agree with the Climate Change Committee that the 0.5% year-on-year improvement in fuel efficiency from the aircraft fleet requires considerable effort both in research and development activity and in incentivising the industry to renew existing aircraft fleets. Type: conclusion …

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21 Dec 2023 | Committee report linked

Sustainable aviation fuels may offer a means of reducing the carbon emissions attributable to the lifecycle of aviation kerosene from its production to its combustion, and the Government envisions a substantial role for SAFs. There is nevertheless potential for wide variability in lifecycle emissions across the general class of fuels which the industry currently terms ‘sustainable aviation fuels’. We note that the Climate Change Committee warned in its 2023 Progress Report to Parliament that ...

Sustainable aviation fuels may offer a means of reducing the carbon emissions attributable to the lifecycle of aviation kerosene from its production to its combustion, and the Government envisions a substantial role for SAFs. There is nevertheless potential for wide …

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21 Dec 2023 | Committee report linked

We welcome the initiatives taken by the Government to date to establish a domestic industry for the manufacture of sustainable aviation fuels, and the steps it is taking to build long-term supply chains for domestic and international aviation. We note the measures announced to date on the establishment in 2025 of a mandate for SAF use. We will monitor the outcome of the Government’s second consultation on the issue and the drafting of the secondary legislation required to implement the mandate.

We welcome the initiatives taken by the Government to date to establish a domestic industry for the manufacture of sustainable aviation fuels, and the steps it is taking to build long-term supply chains for domestic and international aviation. We note …

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21 Dec 2023 | Committee report linked

We are concerned that the broad definition of what is currently considered a sustainable fuel, and the absence of a global standard for SAFs, may lead to the development of aviation fuels which cannot credibly be described as sustainable. We recommend that the Government take every opportunity to establish in its policy instruments for a UK SAF industry the strongest safeguards to ensure significant lifecycle emissions savings from the use of SAFs developed in the UK.

We are concerned that the broad definition of what is currently considered a sustainable fuel, and the absence of a global standard for SAFs, may lead to the development of aviation fuels which cannot credibly be described as sustainable. We …

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21 Dec 2023 | Committee report linked

We note with approval the Government’s criteria restricting the feedstocks to be used in UK-manufactured SAF and specifying that feedstocks are not to be obtained from land with high biodiversity value or land with high carbon stocks. We recommend that in its forthcoming Land Use Strategy the Government establish clear and unambiguous criteria as to the type of land which is to be allocated to growing feedstocks for SAF. The Government must also take every opportunity in international forums ...

We note with approval the Government’s criteria restricting the feedstocks to be used in UK-manufactured SAF and specifying that feedstocks are not to be obtained from land with high biodiversity value or land with high carbon stocks. We recommend that …

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21 Dec 2023 | Committee report linked

We further recommend that Ministers and officials work vigorously at the ICAO and in all other relevant international bodies for the establishment of a global regulatory standard for SAFs which is comprehensive and rigorous.

We further recommend that Ministers and officials work vigorously at the ICAO and in all other relevant international bodies for the establishment of a global regulatory standard for SAFs which is comprehensive and rigorous. Type: recommendation | Number: 17 | …

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21 Dec 2023 | Committee report linked

We welcome the establishment of an UK SAF Clearing House at the University of Sheffield to support SAF producers through the process of certification and approval of their products for commercial use.

We welcome the establishment of an UK SAF Clearing House at the University of Sheffield to support SAF producers through the process of certification and approval of their products for commercial use. Type: conclusion | Number: 18 | Paragraph: 114 …

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21 Dec 2023 | Committee report linked

The Government must match its ambition for the development of a domestic SAF industry with an appropriate appetite for risk and innovation in order to ensure that commercial production of truly sustainable fuels develops at pace. The introduction of a revenue certainty mechanism, via provision in the Energy Act 2023, represents a welcome initial step in this process. To this end, we recommend that the Government make swift progress on the implementation of a price support mechanism to incenti...

The Government must match its ambition for the development of a domestic SAF industry with an appropriate appetite for risk and innovation in order to ensure that commercial production of truly sustainable fuels develops at pace. The introduction of a …

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21 Dec 2023 | Committee report linked

We welcome the decision of the UK Government and devolved administrations to end the issuing of free ETS allocations to aviation with effect from the 2026–2030 allocation period. We note that the use of SAF in aviation is currently zero-rated for ETS, even though the emissions from burning SAF in flight are currently equivalent to those from burning aviation kerosene: as the SAF market matures, consideration must be given to pricing SAF in the ETS at a level which genuinely reflects its carbo...

We welcome the decision of the UK Government and devolved administrations to end the issuing of free ETS allocations to aviation with effect from the 2026–2030 allocation period. We note that the use of SAF in aviation is currently zero-rated …

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21 Dec 2023 | Committee report linked

We recommend that the Government implement its proposed changes to the UK ETS so as to remove conventional aviation fuel from free allocations, and that it consult on a methodology to include SAF in the ETS in a way which does not inhibit the development and use of SAF in UK aviation.

We recommend that the Government implement its proposed changes to the UK ETS so as to remove conventional aviation fuel from free allocations, and that it consult on a methodology to include SAF in the ETS in a way which …

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2 Mar 2023 | Committee report linked

Furthermore, while long-haul aviation and international shipping are often identified as the most likely users of sustainable fuels, we believe that the Government must open-mindedly consider all alternative fuels for all modes of powered transport, including private cars.

Furthermore, while long-haul aviation and international shipping are often identified as the most likely users of sustainable fuels, we believe that the Government must open-mindedly consider all alternative fuels for all modes of powered transport, including private cars. Type: recommendation …

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2 Mar 2023 | Committee report linked

There is not yet a solution for the decarbonisation of HGVs in heavier weight categories that travel long distances. We recommend that the Government publish a long-term HGV decarbonisation strategy as a matter of priority. (Paragraph 73) Maritime

There is not yet a solution for the decarbonisation of HGVs in heavier weight categories that travel long distances. We recommend that the Government publish a long-term HGV decarbonisation strategy as a matter of priority. (Paragraph 73) Maritime Type: recommendation …

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2 Mar 2023 | Committee report linked

The UK Government should support the International Maritime Organization’s work to develop global standards for vessel construction that enable ships to utilise alternative fuels such as ammonia, synthetic fuels and hydrogen. The UK should use its influence at the IMO to ensure that, globally, the path forward for investors in alternative maritime fuels becomes more secure. (Paragraph 91) Aviation

The UK Government should support the International Maritime Organization’s work to develop global standards for vessel construction that enable ships to utilise alternative fuels such as ammonia, synthetic fuels and hydrogen. The UK should use its influence at the IMO …

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2 Mar 2023 | Committee report linked

There is significant demand and potential for sustainable aviation fuels in the aviation sector: they are the most plausible option for significant decarbonisation of aviation in the short and medium terms. We welcome the SAF mandate in the Jet Zero strategy, but consider that further measures are needed to stimulate the progress required. The Government must introduce a Contracts for Difference model to stimulate uptake of SAF. The Government should also examine whether such a model could be...

There is significant demand and potential for sustainable aviation fuels in the aviation sector: they are the most plausible option for significant decarbonisation of aviation in the short and medium terms. We welcome the SAF mandate in the Jet Zero …

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25 Apr 2022 | Committee report linked

The Government must introduce a market mechanism to support investment in sustainable aviation technologies. The Committee has been investigating market mechanisms that the Government might introduce to scale up alternative fuels in our ongoing inquiry, Fuelling the future: motive power and connectivity. We will report on our findings at the conclusion of that inquiry. (Paragraph 107) Slots

The Government must introduce a market mechanism to support investment in sustainable aviation technologies. The Committee has been investigating market mechanisms that the Government might introduce to scale up alternative fuels in our ongoing inquiry, Fuelling the future: motive power …

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