Singapore: The head of the global airline industry group IATA stated on Wednesday that the European Union should reevaluate its green targets for airlines, citing insufficient production of renewable fuels, reports AFP.
Speaking at a media roundtable in Singapore on Wednesday, IATA Director-General Willie Walsh said, “Transporting sustainable fuel from one region to Europe just to meet a mandate isn’t the solution. Doing so actually adds to the fuel’s carbon footprint.”
Sustainable aviation fuel is considered a cleaner alternative to traditional jet fuel, but global production remains low. IATA estimates that SAF production will reach just 2 million metric tons in 2025, only about 0.7% of what airlines are expected to consume that year.
As per news report, Walsh also pointed out the disconnect between policy and reality. “If you require the use of a fuel that isn’t widely available, you’re not making any real environmental progress,” he said. He further noted that the push for SAF production is also driving up the cost of regular jet fuel, placing additional financial strain on the airline industry.
The EU has implemented targets to increase SAF usage in aviation as part of its broader climate goals, but IATA argues that without enough regional production capacity, such mandates may end up doing more harm than good.
