Airlines Struggle to Adopt Sustainable Fuels, Oil Giants Blamed
A report shows that 87% of airlines are failing to switch to sustainable aviation fuels, with oil companies being blamed for insufficient investment in green fuel alternatives like e-kerosene.
Photo Source: United Airlines Corporate Responsibility Report
A recent report by Transport & Environment (T&E) reveals that 87% of airlines are failing to make significant progress in adopting sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs). Of the 77 airlines ranked, half scored zero due to their minimal use of SAFs or lack of commitment to sustainable alternatives. Only 10 airlines stand out for their proactive steps towards sustainable fuel usage.
T&E places much of the responsibility on oil companies, arguing that they are not sufficiently investing in the development of green kerosene. This is hampering the transition to more sustainable aviation practices. While airlines are beginning to turn to alternative fuels, many are still using unsustainable options such as crop-based biofuels, which have questionable scalability and environmental benefits. E-kerosene, produced from renewable electricity, remains the most sustainable and scalable SAF, yet it makes up less than 10% of airlines’ SAF purchases.
The report shows that in 2023, airlines consumed 1.6 billion barrels of fossil kerosene, compared to just 2.6 million barrels of SAF, accounting for less than 0.15% of total jet fuel consumption. The uptake of SAFs is expected to increase over time, especially in Europe, due to government mandates post-2030. However, the overall transition remains slow, with oil giants like Shell and BP reluctant to fully invest in sustainable fuel technologies. T&E urges greater investment from oil companies and regulatory support to accelerate the shift to green aviation fuels.
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