On April 25, the European Parliament and European Union (EU) Member States reached a deal to require airlines in Europe to increase their use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), reaching certain targets over the next several years and decades (Reuters). Beginning in 2025, the overall jet fuel supplied at EU airports must contain at least 2% SAF; by 2030, this minimum increases to 6% (CNBC). By 2035, the minimum share mandated increases to 20%; in 2050, at least 70% of the jet fuel in the blend must be SAF. Additionally, starting in 2030, 1.2% of jet fuel must be synthetic, which is made using captured carbon emissions (Reuters). 

The deal is part of the EU’s “Fit for 55” legislation package, developed with the goal of reducing Europe’s greenhouse gas emissions at least 55% by 2030. The measures will also help the EU reach its 2050 climate neutrality goal, the success of which depends in large part on the EU’s ability to reduce transit sector emissions 90% from their 1990 levels (AP News). Aviation is known as one of the hardest sectors to decarbonize and currently accounts for 13.9% of the transit sector’s greenhouse gas emissions (AP News, Reuters). 

The binding targets in the deal are estimated to reduce aircraft carbon emissions by two-thirds by 2050 compared to a “no action” scenario (AP News). In addition to helping reduce carbon emissions, the deal has been lauded as a step to improving air quality and kickstarting a market in sustainable jet fuel. Meanwhile, Greenpeace criticized airlines for using green fuels to obscure the reality “that the only truly sustainable aviation is less aviation” (Reuters). The deal must be formally approved by each EU country and Parliament before becoming law (Reuters).