The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), in partnership with global consultancy ICF, has launched a new framework urging the global travel and tourism industry to rally behind the scaling up of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and other renewable fuels, seen as key to reducing transport-related emissions, reports Australasian Leisure Management.
The report, titled Scaling Up Sustainable Fuel, provides a step-by-step guide for how businesses of all sizes—from hotels and tour operators to cruise lines and airlines—can contribute to a cleaner, greener future by adopting and promoting sustainable fuel use.
WTTC President and CEO Julia Simpson stressed the urgency of the situation. “Sustainable fuel is the most critical solution we have to reduce emissions in our sector. But the reality is, supply is nowhere near where it needs to be. If we don’t act now, we’ll see higher costs, restricted fuel access, and slower climate progress,” she said. “This roadmap gives every business a way to help. It’s time for governments to do more than set targets—they must support actual production.”
Currently, SAF makes up just 0.3% of global jet fuel use. To meet net-zero emissions goals by 2050, that figure must increase over 400 times—from 1.25 billion litres today to more than 450 billion litres annually. Achieving that will require around 6,500 new renewable fuel plants worldwide. Sustainable Marine Fuel (SMF), also essential for cruise lines and shipping, faces similar challenges in availability and infrastructure.
SAF offers a unique advantage—it can be used in existing aircraft and engines without modification. However, production costs remain high, and access to raw materials is limited. Prices are still up to ten times higher than those of traditional fuels.
To address these barriers, the WTTC-ICF framework outlines clear actions for industry stakeholders, categorising them as Collaborators, Promoters, Adopters, or Investors. These range from simple steps like supplying used cooking oil or joining advocacy campaigns to more substantial investments such as funding SAF production facilities or purchasing sustainable fuel certificates.
Daniel Galpin, Managing Director at ICF, said collaboration across the sector is essential. “Reducing transport emissions is vital if we’re serious about sustainable tourism. While the aviation sector is making progress, the entire travel industry must now join in. Our partnership with WTTC highlights practical roles that companies can take to move us all forward.”
The report includes real-world examples of companies already taking action. In Asia, the Erawan Group is turning waste oil from hotels into SAF. In the UK, Jet2 has invested in a SAF facility that turns household waste into jet fuel.
However, the report also warns that inaction could have economic consequences. With several governments set to mandate a 5–10% SAF blend in aviation fuel by 2030, businesses that fail to prepare could face higher costs and reduced consumer options.
As the global travel and tourism sector is projected to generate $16.5 trillion and support over 460 million jobs by 2035, the push for sustainable fuel is not only about climate—it’s about safeguarding the industry’s future.
