Fossil gasoline producers should play a higher position in boosting the manufacturing of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), that are vital to the aviation trade’s net-zero efforts, the UAE Minister of Power and Infrastructure has stated.
Accelerating SAF adoption and making a marketplace for low-carbon fuels would require assist from fossil gasoline firms, Suhail Al Mazrouei stated on Monday throughout a panel session on the Third Convention on Aviation Different Fuels in Dubai.
“We’ve to transition, and we have now to transition shortly, however for a transition you must create a market [and] To create the market you must begin from those that produce as we speak’s gasoline,” stated Mr Al Mazrouei.
“She [energy companies] are ready to assist the aviation sector with the transition. Clearly you continue to see them as we speak and I am certain others will comply with.”
SAF, another gasoline constructed from renewable sources that can be utilized to energy plane, is essential for the… international aviation trade to attain web zero targets by 2050. The aviation sector is accountable for roughly 2 % of world CO2 emissions.
The UAE, which goals to attain net-zero emissions by 2050, is working with oil and gasoline producers to supply extra SAF, Mr Al Mazrouei stated. He added that vital funding could be wanted, together with higher non-public sector participation.
Panel contributors additionally known as for a extra inclusive transition to SAF, given financial disparities between areas.
“Our objective is to not scale back flying, however our objective is to scale back CO2 emissions,” stated Chee Tat, Singapore’s Performing Minister of Transport.
“[Asia] is a area the place we nonetheless have robust financial development potential. There are nonetheless many tens of millions of people that might not have performed that [had] one other likelihood to journey… so it is crucial that we don’t deny them the advantages of journey.”
Additionally it is necessary to set quantifiable targets for lowering CO2 emissions to ship a “clear” sign to gasoline producers and monetary establishments, he added.
Traders desire a “quantified final result” to make sure the sustainability of their investments, added Annie Petsonk, the U.S. assistant secretary for aviation and worldwide affairs.
“If they’ll make main investments to allow the manufacturing of sustainable jet gasoline at refineries to develop uncooked supplies and provide chains, they wish to make certain that governments take this transition severely,” Ms Petsonk stated on the occasion on Monday.
In response to the Worldwide Air Transport Affiliation, SAF is predicted to contribute about 65 % of the emissions reductions aviation wants to succeed in web zero by 2050.
Nonetheless, SAF presently makes up lower than 1 % of all aviation gasoline used worldwide.
Mr Al Mazrouei stated the aviation trade should additionally keep in mind the worth of different fuels to guard shoppers.
“We’ve to keep in mind the velocity of transition and the impression on shoppers,” he stated.
“Finally, it will likely be shoppers who will resolve whether or not the worth of the choice is one thing they’ll afford.”
Final 12 months, the typical SAF worth estimate was about $2,400 per tonne, about two and a half occasions greater than the worth of jet gasoline, Iata stated.
UAE launches SAF analysis initiative
The UAE on Monday launched a analysis consortium that can deal with creating, manufacturing and advancing SAF applied sciences.
The consortium consists of eight entities, together with Adnoc, Boeing, Emirates, Enoc Group, Etihad Airways, Honeywell, Khalifa College and Masdar, the clear power firm from Abu Dhabi.
The UAE Heart for Renewable and Superior Gas Applied sciences for Aviation – merely known as Air-Craft – will carry collectively trade policymakers, aviation regulators, gasoline producers, teachers, researchers, plane producers, energy plant producers and airways.
The brand new initiative was introduced on the sidelines of the occasion, with lower than two weeks to go earlier than the Cop28 local weather convention in Dubai.
Up to date: November 20, 2023, 4:07 PM
