EU's Transport and Tourism Committee agrees on SAF goals

June 29, 2022

BY Erin Voegele

Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) on the Transport and Tourism Committee on June 27 voted 25 to six in favor of adopting a draft negotiating mandate on the ReFuelEU aviation rules, which sets a goal for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) use. The MEPs also broadened the definition of SAF.

The ReFuelEU aviation initiative is part of the EU’s Fit for 55 in 2030 package, which is the EU’s plan to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 55 percent by 2030 compared to 1990 levels in line with the European Climate Law.

Advertisement

Advertisement

The MEPs’ action on the ReFuelEU initiative increased the EU’s original proposal for the minimum share of SAF that should be made available in EU airports. Starting in 2025, the share is to increase to 2 percent, increasing to 37 percent in 2040 and 85 percent by 2050, taking into account the potential of electricity and hydrogen in the overall fuel mix.

The MEPs also amended the proposed definition of SAF, a term that covers synthetic fuels or certain biofuels, produced from agricultural or forestry residues, algae, bio-waste, or used cooking oil. The updated definition includes recyclable carbon fuels produced from waste processing gas and exhaust gas derived from the production process at industrial installations. The MEPs also suggested that some biofuels produced from animal fats or distillates be used in the aviation fuel mix until 2024. The MEPs, however, excluded feed and food crop-based fuels, and those derived from palm oil, citing sustainability criteria.

Advertisement

Advertisement

In addition, the MEPs are proposing the creation of a Sustainable Aviation Fund from 2023 to 2050 to accelerate the decarbonization of the aviation sector and support investment in SAF, innovative aircraft propulsion technologies, or research for new engines.

The draft negotiating position approved by the committee must now be considered by the whole Parliament during the July plenary session. If approved, the MEPs will be ready to start talks with EU governments on the final shape of the legislation.

A full copy of the announcement is available on the European Parliament’s website

Related Stories

New partnership aims to decarbonize marine transportation

Article image

By Michigan Advanced Biofuels Coalition

April 11, 2025

The Michigan Advanced Biofuels Coalition and Green Marine are partnering to accelerating adoption of sustainable biofuels to improve air quality and reduce GHG emissions in Michigan and across the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway.

Read More

Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., and Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio, on April 10 reintroduced legislation to extend the 45Z clean fuel production credit and limit eligibility for the credit to renewable fuels made from domestically sourced feedstocks.

Read More

Representatives of the U.S. biofuels industry on April 10 submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Treasury and IRFS providing recommendations on how to best implement upcoming 45Z clean fuel production credit regulations.

Read More

The U.S. Energy Information Administration reduced its 2025 forecasts for renewable diesel and biodiesel in its latest Short-Term Energy Outlook, released April 10. The outlook for “other biofuel” production, which includes SAF, was raised.

Read More

FutureFuel Corp. on March 26 announced the restart of its 59 MMgy biodiesel plant in Batesville, Arkansas. The company’s annual report, released April 4, indicates biodiesel production was down 24% last year when compared to 2023.

Read More

Upcoming Events

Sign up for our e-newsletter!

Advertisement

Advertisement