The UK government has confirmed new targets to ensure 10% of all jet fuel in flights taking off from the UK comes from sustainable sources by 2030 through its Sustainable aviation fuel mandate.

The SAF mandate, which subject to parliamentary approval, will come into force in January 2025, will be one of the first in the world to be put into law. Following extensive consultations with the industry, the government has committed to a target of around 1.2 million tonnes of SAF supplied to the UK airline industry each year. This comes following £135 million of recent funding allocated through the Advanced Fuels Fund, supporting the growth of 13 groundbreaking SAF projects across the country.

According to Fuels Industry UK, it is encouraging that the UK government has acknowledged the important role that Hydrogenated Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) is likely to play in the first years of the mandate and the commitment to keeping its levels under review.

Allowing all production methods can attract early UK SAF investment, while also offering clear trajectories for new fuels which will be developed as demand grows.