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Pathway to net zero: Reviewing sustainable aviation fuels, environmental impacts and pricing

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  • Braun, Matthias
  • Grimme, Wolfgang
  • Oesingmann, Katrin

Abstract

Supporting the pathway to net zero carbon emissions in the aviation industry, sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) will contribute to a large extent to reduce net CO2 emissions in the next decades to deliver on climate targets. For this reason, the large-scale uptake of SAFs in aviation is on top of the agenda of regulatory policy. However, challenges remain for building the respective infrastructure and supply chains at the appropriate scale to produce and distribute SAF at a reasonable cost. Currently, only one percent of fuels consumed by airlines in Europe are blended with sustainable aviation fuels. The paper examines current SAF production pathways, environmental benefits, and estimated fuel prices from the state-of-the art literature. Further, regulatory policies established by governments, regulatory agencies and industry associations are examined, regarding blending mandates in different regional markets. The authors conclude with the statistical analysis of minimum selling prices for different types of SAF, and discuss their respective availability.

Suggested Citation

  • Braun, Matthias & Grimme, Wolfgang & Oesingmann, Katrin, 2024. "Pathway to net zero: Reviewing sustainable aviation fuels, environmental impacts and pricing," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 117(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jaitra:v:117:y:2024:i:c:s0969699724000450
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jairtraman.2024.102580
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    2. Luísa Marques & Maria Vieira & José Condeço & Henrique Sousa & Carlos Henriques & Maria Mateus, 2024. "Review of Power-to-Liquid (PtL) Technology for Renewable Methanol (e-MeOH): Recent Developments, Emerging Trends and Prospects for the Cement Plant Industry," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-41, November.
    3. Chen, Ruotian & Yang, Hangjun & Wang, Kun & Jiang, Changmin, 2024. "Impacts of a sustainable aviation fuel mandate on airline competition — Full-service carrier vs. low-cost carrier," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 190(C).
    4. Chiambaretto, Paul & Laurent, Sara & Schmalz, Ulrike & Fu, Mengying & Rouyre, Audrey & Bildstein, Camille & Fernandez, Anne-Sophie, 2024. "Are consumers willing to pay more for green innovations? Insights from the air transport industry," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    5. Toman, Michael A. & Joiner, Emily & Lohawala, Nafisa, 2024. "Alternative Fuels for Reducing the Contribution of Aviation to Climate Change," RFF Working Paper Series 24-20, Resources for the Future.
    6. Mohd Hasan Wong, Fadhli Wong & Al Kez, Dlzar & Del Rio, Dylan Furszyfer & Foley, Aoife & Rooney, David & Abai, Mahpuzah, 2024. "Decarbonizing and offsetting emissions in the airline industry: Current perspectives and strategies," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 313(C).
    7. Wesley Bonicontro Ambrosio & Bruna Ara'ujo de Sousa & Jo~ao Marcos Kanieski & Priscila Marchiorie & Gustavo Mockaitis, 2025. "Sustainable Aviation Fuels: Opportunities, Alternatives and Challenges for Decarbonizing the Aviation Industry and Foster the Renewable Chemicals," Papers 2504.03880, arXiv.org.

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