The Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Mandate officially comes into force in the UK. aiming to make flights departing from the country more environmentally friendly.

According to government information, the new law requires that this type of fuel represent at least 2% of all aircraft fuel for flights departing the UK starting in 2025. This percentage will gradually rise each year, reaching 10% by 2030 and 22% by 2040.

This marks the implementation of one of the world’s first sustainable aviation fuel mandates. These targets should result in approximately 1.2 million tons of SAF being supplied to the UK aviation industry annually by 2030, enough to circle the globe 3,000 times.

The government has also confirmed that it will introduce an income certainty mechanism to attract investment in new SAF production plants in the UK. This measure will help reduce risk and provide investors with the confidence they need to invest in SAF plants across the country. Additionally, the government promises to support thousands of skilled jobs nationwide, generating economic growth.

The start of the SAF Mandate follows the inaugural meeting of the Jet Zero Task Force, a new and revitalized group that is charting a clear path toward cleaner aviation.

Aviation Minister Mike Kane stated, “From this moment on, aviation will become a greener and more sustainable way to travel, and today marks a significant milestone for the UK’s SAF industry. With thousands of jobs supporting the UK SAF industry and air travel becoming more popular than ever, the mandate will help implement our Change Plan, fostering economic growth and giving people the freedom to travel in a more sustainable way.”

Meanwhile, Tim Alderslade, CEO of Airlines UK, commented, “UK airlines support the SAF Mandate as a powerful and practical tool to reduce aviation carbon emissions and a clear signal that the industry is fully committed to a net-zero future. The UK mandate is ambitious, and expanding SAF production will involve more work to expand eligible feedstocks, incentives to help reduce costs, and, fundamentally, ensuring that the design of the income certainty mechanism allows the UK to ramp up advanced fuel production this decade while keeping costs as low as possible, which is essential to meeting the mandate and preventing supplier procurement issues.”

Karen Dee, CEO of AirportsUK, the trade body for UK airports, stated, “The SAF mandate is an important step towards the decarbonization of air travel, and we are pleased that the government has continued the work of its predecessor in implementing it. Aviation knows it must reduce carbon emissions, and this mandate is something the sector has long been asking for to help establish the production of cleaner fuels. We will continue working with all stakeholders to ensure there is a local supply and that the UK benefits from this new industry through jobs and investment.”

Duncan McCourt, Chief Executive of Sustainable Aviation, emphasized that alongside the mandate, a well-designed income certainty mechanism will be necessary to help accelerate domestic SAF production and support compliance with the mandate, seriously driving SAF production in the UK during this decade.