European Parliament takes action to promote the use of SAF
April 20, 2023
BY Erin Voegele
The European Parliament on April 18 voted 463 to 117 to implement a revision to the European Union’s Emissions Trading System that will phase out free allowances for the aviation sector by 2026 and promote the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
To help promote the use of SAF, the revised program reserves 20 million allowances, between 2024 and 2030, for commercial aircraft operators that increase their use of SAF, including renewable hydrogen, renewable fuels from non-biological origin and advanced biofuels.
Advertisement
The vote related to SAF was part of a larger action taken by the Parliament to approve deals reached with EU countries in late 2022 on several key pieces of legislation that are part of the Fit for 55 in 2030 Package, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the EU by at least 55 percent by 2030 when compared to a 1990 baseline.
As part of that effort, Members of European Parliament voted to reform the ETS. The updated program aims to cut GHG emissions in ETS sectors by 62 percent by 2030 when compared to a 2005 baseline. The reformed program also phases out free allowances to companies from 2026 to 2034 and creates a separate new ETS II for fuel for road transport and buildings that will put a price on GHG emissions from these sectors as soon as 2027. MEPs also voted to include GHG emissions from the maritime sector in the ETS.
Advertisement
Related Stories
A group of 28 House members on May 16 sent a letter to President Donald Trump urging his administration to adopt timely, robust Renewable Fuel Standard renewable volume obligations (RVOs) for 2026 and beyond.
Neste and FedEx, the world’s largest express cargo airline, have agreed on the supply of 8,800 metric tons (more than 3 million gallons) of blended Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel to FedEx at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
A bill to formally adopt a revenue certainty mechanism to support the production of SAF was introduced in the U.K. Parliament on May 14. The proposed scheme is in the form of a guaranteed strike price.
Delta Air Lines on May 7 announced its strong support for new bipartisan, bicameral legislation that will accelerate the growth of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in Michigan. The bill aims to create a SAF tax credit of up to $2 per gallon.
The U.S. EPA on May 14 delivered two RFS rulemakings to the White House OMB, beginning the interagency review process. One rule focuses on RFS RVOs and the other focuses on a partial waiver of the 2024 cellulosic RVO.
Upcoming Events
