U.K. Strategic Arms Governance: Recap of Events in the First Half
The Labour government, upon taking power in 2024, reaffirmed its commitment to the mandate first introduced by the Conservative administration in 2022. This mandate, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions in aviation, marks a significant step towards a greener future for the UK's aviation sector.
The mandate requires fuel suppliers to ensure a minimum of 2% of their jet fuel is sustainable, with this rising to 22% by 2040. To create predictable demand and incentivise expansion of SAF production capacity, the UK completed a successful SAF trial in December 2024, establishing the mandate from 1st January 2025.
To reduce the risks of transitioning to SAF production for new companies, the government has introduced the Revenue Certainty Mechanism (RCM). This mechanism, along with additional funding of 400,000 GBP pledged to accelerate SAF production and delivery, is expected to encourage more companies to invest in SAF technology.
Several airports and independent bodies are leading the charge towards the full adoption of SAF across the UK. Farnborough Airport, for instance, aims to produce carbon negative SAF from a variety of mixed waste products, rather than using traditional sources like waste cooking oil or hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids (HEFA). They plan to produce and provide roughly 10,000 tonnes of SAF from local waste sources each year.
LanzaJet is set to build a commercial-scale SAF plant in Teesside, while OXCCU Tech is developing a demonstration plant at Oxford Airport for SAF production. London Stansted Airport has also announced plans to explore opportunities for its own SAF production in the East of England. These initiatives are forecasted to contribute 10.2 billion GBP in economic value and create over 60,000 green jobs by 2050.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has launched its Sustainable Aviation Fuel Matchmaker platform to facilitate SAF procurement between airlines and SAF producers. This platform is expected to further boost the UK's SAF production and use.
Other countries, including Budapest and the United States, are also undergoing final preparations to begin using sustainable aviation fuel, indicating a global shift towards greener alternatives in the aviation sector.
The UK's steady strides towards the full adoption of SAF are a testament to its commitment to reducing carbon emissions and promoting greener fuels. The future of aviation in the UK looks greener and more sustainable than ever.
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