GovWire

We will introduce a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) mandate equivalent to at least 10% (around 1.5 billion litres) of jet fuel to be made from sustainable sources by 2030. Our response confirms:

• the mandate will operate as a greenhouse gas emission reduction scheme with tradeable certificates
• the mandate will apply to jet fuel suppliers and will begin in 2025, outside of the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO)
• eligible fuels will be waste-derived biofuels, recycled carbon fuels (making use of unrecyclable plastic and waste industrial gases) and power to liquid (PtL) fuels
• SAF must meet strict sustainability criteria including making at least 50% greenhouse gas savings relative to fossil jet fuel
• SAF derived from hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids will be capped and a PtL subtarget will be introduced to encourage the development of strategically important SAF pathways

The UK SAF mandate is intended to secure and grow UK SAF demand and complement our ongoing work to kick start a domestic SAF industry.

We will continue to work in partnership with industry and investors to build long term SAF supply to help support the mandate.

A second UK sustainable aviation fuel mandate consultation was released on 30 March 2023.