SAF makes up just 0.3 pc of global jet fuel use
World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), in partnership with consultancy ICF, has launched a groundbreaking framework urging the entire travel and tourism sector to unite in scaling up Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and other renewable fuels.
In a press statement, WTTC says that the new report, Scaling Up Sustainable Fuel, lays out a practical roadmap for businesses of all sizes to help reduce transport-related emissions and accelerate the shift to cleaner fuels.
Julia Simpson
“Sustainable fuel is the single biggest game-changer for travel and tourism, but right now, supply falls dangerously short of demand. If we do not act together, we risk rising costs, limited availability and stalled climate progress. Every hotel, tour operator, travel agency, cruise line and airline has a role to play. This framework gives them the blueprint. Sustainable fuel is not just an environmental necessity; it is a business imperative and governments must incentivise the production of SAF, not just set targets for the sector,” says Julia Simpson, President & CEO, WTTC.
The statement adds that currently, SAF makes up just 0.3 pc of global jet fuel use. To hit net-zero targets by 2050, production must soar more than 400-fold-from 1.25 billion litres today to over 450 billion litres-requiring up to 6,500 new renewable fuel plants worldwide.
WTTC says that unlike other decarbonisation options, SAF is a “drop-in” solution, compatible with existing engines and aircraft.
However, high production costs, limited infrastructure and competition for feedstock have kept volumes low and prices up to 10 times higher than conventional fuel.
According to the statement, WTTC-ICF framework introduces tiered actions for stakeholders, categorising them as collaborators, promoters, adopters, or investors.
Daniel Galpin
“Decarbonising transport is a crucial step towards achieving a sustainable tourism sector. While transport industries, particularly aviation with its focus on Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), have recognised the importance of sustainable fuels and are courageously working towards a new era, there remains a significant journey ahead. It is essential for the broader tourism ecosystem to take action and provide support to meet the targets set, as well as to implement both operational and strategic changes required. ICF is proud to have collaborated closely with WTTC to identify the roles that tourism stakeholders can adopt and the actions they can take to facilitate the decarbonisation of the sector, thereby contributing to a more sustainable future,” says Daniel Galpin, ICF Managing Director.
The statement adds that actions range from joining awareness campaigns and supplying waste products to funding production facilities or purchasing sustainable fuel certificates. Real-world case studies highlight progress: The Erawan Group is converting hotel waste oil into SAF in Asia, while Jet2 has invested in an SAF plant in the United Kingdom using recyclable household waste.
According to the statement, the report warns that without collective action, government mandates for a 5–10 pc SAF blend by 2030 could drive up travel costs and limit consumer choice. With travel and tourism projected to generate USD 16.5 trillion and support over 460 million jobs by 2035, ramping up sustainable fuel production is not just an environmental necessity, it is an economic imperative.
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