IATA Study Confirms that SAF Technology Rollout is Main Bottleneck to Net Zero, not Feedstock Availability
Published by Todd Bush on September 23, 2025
Geneva - The International Air Transport Association (IATA), in partnership with Worley Consulting, has published a study demonstrating that sufficient sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) feedstock exists to enable the airline industry to achieve net zero CO2 emissions by 2050. All feedstocks considered meet stringent sustainability criteria and do not lead to changes in land use.
>> In Other News: Oneworld Airline Partners Join With Breakthrough Energy Ventures to Invest in New SAF Technologies
Airlines will need 500 million tonnes (Mt) of SAF to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, as outlined in the IATA Net Zero Roadmaps.
“We now have unequivocal evidence that if SAF production is prioritized then feedstock availability is not a barrier in the industry’s path to decarbonization. There is enough potential feedstock from sustainable sources to reach net zero carbon emissions in 2050. However, this will only be accomplished with a major acceleration of the SAF industry’s growth. We need shovels in the ground now,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
“The report highlights the local and regional opportunities for SAF production to create jobs, stimulate economies and support energy security goals. Governments, energy producers, investors, and the aviation sector must work together, de-risk investment, and accelerate rollout. Policy certainty and cross-sector collaboration are essential to unlock the scale we need. The time to act is now—delays will only make the challenge harder,” said Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s Senior Vice President Sustainability and Chief Economist.
Notes for Editors:
IATA represents some 350 airlines comprising over 80% of global air traffic.
You can follow IATA on X for announcements, policy positions, and other useful industry information.
Subscribe to the newsletter
Daily decarbonization data and news delivered to your inbox
Follow the money flow of climate, technology, and energy investments to uncover new opportunities and jobs.
Latest issues
-
Quebec Wood Waste Just Became Jet Fuel
Inside This Issue 🌲 ARC Bio Tests a Refinery Shortcut to Forest-Based SAF 💧 Scientists Just Found a New Way to Make Hydrogen from Water 🤝 How Channel Partnerships Are Helping More Organizations Ta...
-
How Vaulted Deep Turned Offtakes Into $35M Debt
Inside This Issue 🏦 How Carbon Removal Offtakes Are Starting to Unlock Commercial Debt 🌉 California Opens the Door to a Three-Way Carbon Market 🧪 New Material Developed at Oregon State Provides Bo...
-
Canada Wants Foreign Buyers for Its Carbon Removals
Inside This Issue 🍁 Canada Explores Article 6 Path to Global Carbon Buyers 🌲 ARC Bio Demonstrates Canadian Forest Residue Pathway to Sustainable Aviation Fuel 🌾 Business, Forestry and Agriculture ...
Company Announcements
-
Company Update Approval Advances Strategic Growth of XCF's Diversified Alternative Energy Platform and Marks a Major Milestone as the Parties Work Toward Closing as Soon as Practicable HOUSTON, T...
-
On September 20, Yiwu County in Hami, Xinjiang, a centralized project bid opening and launch ceremony drew the attention of the entire hydrogen energy community, Dondel officially launched its Gree...
-
MEXICO CITY--BUSINESS WIRE--In the framework of today's World Habitat Day, here is an invitation to reflect on building more sustainable communities, where Mexico is moving firmly toward the energy...
-
Vortex Energy Commissions Hydrogen and Helium Study at Robinsons River Salt Project
Desktop Study Will Use Existing Geological, Geophysical and Well Data to Assess Natural Hydrogen and Helium Potential VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vortex Energy C...