UK's sustainable aviation fuel mandate: only up to 2040, and with caveats

In Apr-2024 the UK government published its long-awaited mandate on the production of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). The mandate, which still requires parliamentary approval, follows extensive consultation with the aviation industry in 2022 and 2023.

It sets targets for the overall share of jet fuel to be supplied as SAF and separate targets for SAF produced as power to liquid, while also capping fuel from hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids. The mandate is binding on suppliers of aviation fuel into the UK market.

UK Transport Secretary Mark Harper described the mandate as "ambitious but realistic". It only covers the period up to 2040, whereas the equivalent European Union mandate (adopted last year), sets targets up to 2050 and is more ambitious.

Moreover, the UK would effectively scrap the scheme at short notice if there was a threat of significantly increased consumer costs.