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Flight Path to the Future: The UK SAF Mandate

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The UK government is advancing efforts to accelerate the adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), which currently makes up only 0.17% of global aviation fuel use, despite industry targets of 10% by 2030. The new UK SAF Mandate, set to take effect in 2025, will require fuel suppliers to progressively increase the proportion of SAF in the UK’s aviation fuel mix.

In this article for Energy Intelligence, Andrew Nealon, Afzaal Abidi, Joshua Hayes, and Alex Lee discuss the key aspects of the mandate, including obligations for fuel suppliers and sustainability criteria, while also addressing the challenges posed by high production costs and limited capacity.

The article compares the UK’s strategy with similar initiatives in the US and EU, and highlights UK-based SAF projects supported by government funding. With SAF expected to deliver up to 65% of the emissions reductions needed to achieve net-zero by 2050, the mandate is a significant regulatory step, though major obstacles remain.

Read the full article here.

This information is provided by Vinson & Elkins LLP for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended, nor should it be construed, as legal advice.