Travel & Tourism Sector Urged to Unite on Sustainable Fuel Challenge

Strategic Insights -

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and global consultancy ICF have launched a new framework urging the sector to scale up the production and use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and other renewable fuels. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, emphasized the importance of sustainable fuel in addressing transport-related emissions and accelerating the shift to cleaner fuels. The report, Scaling Up Sustainable Fuel, provides a practical roadmap for businesses in the sector to help address the challenge. The sector must act together to increase production of SAF from 1.25 billion liters today to over 450 billion liters by 2050, requiring 6,500 new renewable fuel plants worldwide.

Key Takeaways:

  • The report, Scaling Up Sustainable Fuel, provides a practical roadmap for businesses in the sector to scale up the production and use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and other renewable fuels.
  • Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, emphasized that sustainable fuel is the single biggest game-changer for Travel & Tourism, and that governments must incentivize the production of SAF, not just set targets for the sector.
  • Today, SAF accounts for just 0.3% of global jet fuel use, and production needs to increase more than 400-fold by 2050 to meet net-zero targets.
  • Sustainable Marine Fuel (SMF) faces similar supply and infrastructure constraints, and the report offers clear, tiered actions for Travel & Tourism stakeholders to engage in decarbonization efforts.
  • The report warns that unless the sector acts collectively, SAF mandates introduced by governments could increase travel costs and limit consumer choice.

Statistics:

  • SAF accounts for just 0.3% of global jet fuel use today.
  • Production of SAF needs to increase more than 400-fold by 2050 to meet net-zero targets, from 1.25 billion liters to over 450 billion liters.
  • This will require as many as 6,500 new renewable fuel plants worldwide.
  • Sustainable Marine Fuel (SMF) faces similar supply and infrastructure constraints.
  • High production costs, limited infrastructure, and feedstock competition have kept volumes low and prices high - up to 10 times that of conventional fuel.

Sources:

  • "Scaling Up Sustainable Fuel" report by World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and ICF.
  • Interview with Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO.