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
-
Mombak Delivered Google's Amazon Carbon Credits Early
Inside This Issue 🌳 Brazil's Mombak Delivers Early to Google, Other Buyers in Boost for Carbon Removal Credits 🛫 Two Years Later, Delta's Minnesota SAF Plant Opens 💧 Delaware Hydrogen Company Targ...
-
Can Amogy Power Data Centers With Ammonia?
Inside This Issue ⚡ Amogy and 2G Energy Successfully Demonstrate Integrated Ammonia-to-Power Generation With Natural Gas Multi-Fuel Capability ✈️ Argus Launches SAF Emissions Reduction Indexes and...
-
Ontario Nickel Project Could Add $70 Billion
Inside This Issue 🍁 Canada Nickel Secures Federal Approval for Crawford Nickel Project 🏛️ Whitehouse, Coons, Peters, and Tonko Reintroduce Carbon Dioxide Removal Bill 🌲 Plumas County's Top Biomass...
Company Announcements
-
Major financing milestone supported by Power Sustainable advances Canada's first biofuel plant with integrated CO2 liquefaction technology toward commissioning and commercial operations. Convertus...
-
GHG Protocol Announces Key Standard Development Updates
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 29, 2026) – Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHGP) today announces a series of updates to its corporate standards as it continues to strengthen its governance, leadership, and instit...
-
Crew Carbon Signs Offtake Agreement With Microsoft for Wastewater Carbon Removal
The agreement further validates CREW’s high-quality credits, advancing industrial carbon removal at scale. BROOKLYN, N.Y. — CREW Carbon, Inc. (“CREW”) today announced an offtake agreement with Mic...
-
Haffner Energy Has Achieved a Key Qualification Milestone for Its New Generation H6
Haffner Energy has achieved a key qualification milestone for its new H6 generation technology. Confirmation of stable syngas production reinforces the H6’s commercial roll-out trajectory. Vitry...