SAF, Security & Scale: What’s next for aviation decarbonization in North America?
Ros Johnston
Senior Conference Producer and Content Manager
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Sustainable Aviation Futures
As the U.S. doubles down on energy resilience, domestic job creation, and industrial competitiveness, biofuels and emerging technological innovations, alternative fuels like SAF and eSAF are no longer just climate solutions: they’re national strategic assets.
Decarbonizing aviation is a climate imperative, and one with top-to-bottom industry support. But it’s also a unique opportunity for diversifying energy supply chains, revitalizing rural and industrial economies, and creating future-proof jobs across refining, agriculture, engineering, and infrastructure. From feedstock producers to engineers, SAF is opening new revenue streams for local communities. With global SAF demand rising fast, the U.S. and Canada have a chance to build stronger, more self-sufficient economies, and become the leading exporters of SAF for countries where mandates require its use.
These themes will take center stage at the Sustainable Aviation Futures North America Congress 2025, returning to Houston on October 14-16. More than 800 industry leaders from airlines, energy, finance, government, infrastructure, corporate buyers, EPCs, feedstock producers and more will come together to answer a central question: how do we scale SAF and aviation decarbonization to deliver on both climate goals and energy security?
Use the link above to book a research call to share your insights, or email me at ros.johnston@safcongress.com
Expect discussions on:
How can SAF deliver energy resilience and economic value?
As the U.S. looks to diversify its energy sources and develop a more self-sufficient economy, and Canada continues to drive sustainability initiatives, SAF offers a pathway to domestically produced, low-carbon aviation fuel, unlocking investment and job creation from coast to coast.
• What’s needed to secure long-term SAF supply at scale for HEFA, AtJ, PtL, and novel feedstocks
• How SAF deployment supports energy independence and regional economic growth
• Infrastructure bottlenecks for PtL and eSAF, and the role of government in commercialization
From first projects to full-scale industry: what’s working, what’s not?
The industry is evolving beyond proof of concept. The challenge now is how to commercialize SAF at meaningful volumes, while navigating fragmented regulations and uncertain offtake markets.
• Unlocking bankability for SAF plants: EPCs, permitting, and credit stacking
• Airline contracting strategies and long-term demand signals
• State and federal incentive layering, and developing a sector which can thrive in the face of policy uncertainty
What else is driving the decarbonization agenda beyond SAF?
Fuel is just one piece of the aviation decarbonization plan, although a large one. Flight operations, non-CO2 climate impacts, and ESG pressure from corporate travel buyers are accelerating interest in contrail mitigation, sustainable airport operations, and better climate data.
• Insights into practical strategies into contrail management, and how it relates to SAF
• Innovations in airport electrification and green ground operations
• Transparent measurement and reporting frameworks for Scope 3 emissions
The 2025 edition of Sustainable Aviation Futures North America Congress isn’t just about tackling emissions. It’s about economic resilience, energy independence, and innovation leadership. If you want to understand where the market is heading, and how you can be part of shaping it, Houston is where the future of sustainable aviation will be mapped out this October.