SAF Spotlight
Brought to you by Sustainable Aviation Futures, this content hub will provide the latest strategies for scaling SAF and aviation decarbonisation via a series of exclusive interviews, whitepapers, reports, and industry news.
SAF Spotlight Legal Partner
King & Spalding is a global law firm that helps leading companies advance complex business interests in more than 160 countries. Working across a highly integrated platform of more than 1,300 lawyers in 23 offices globally, we deliver tailored commercial solutions through world-class offerings and an uncompromising approach to quality and service. Our Environmental, Health and Safety team consists of former Environmental Protection Agency lawyers along with lawyers who have scientific degrees and industry experience who handle the most complex investigations, litigation and regulatory matters arising under environmental, health and safety laws worldwide.
Featured Content this Month
Visit our YouTube Channel to see the latest SAF Industry Expert Insights and more
Potential Impacts of the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election on SAF
The upcoming 2024 U.S. presidential election has the green energy world worried. In particular, developers of low-carbon clean and renewable energy projects are concerned about regulatory and legislative changes that may be adopted. But even if some parts of the IRA may be vulnerable to change, certain areas may be politically safe no matter who is in charge.
Global SAF Producer and Developer Landscape Report
The global SAF project pipeline is extremely strong, with nearly 190 companies, across 330 locations worldwide announcing their intention to produce sustainable fuels including SAF, and the USA is leading the way. This report by TravelCarbon.com shares the full producer landscape, as of 2024.
Industry Insights with David Kaplan, Oliver Wyman - Drivers for the aviation energy transition
In this interview, David Kaplan, an expert in the decarbonization of hard-to-abate sectors, shares his insights on the key roles SAF, political support, and more nascent technologies will have on driving towards aviation decarbonization by 2050.
Industry Insights with the Center for Green Market Activation - Essential innovation and support for decarbonization
In this interview, Andre de Fontaine, an expert in energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, and Alex Coulombe, who is experienced in environmental commodities trading across voluntary and compliance markets globally, share their perspectives on the importance policy and private sector support, and of holistic innovation for decarbonizing.
Industry Insights with Paul Zissermann, SkyTeam - Challenges in advancing SAF with policy
In this interview, Paul Zissermann, a sustainability and environmental expert who has introduced emission reduction initiatives worldwide, shares his views on how the current and potential future political landscape impacts SAF production and scaling, and the challenges with reaching net-zero.
Optimizing LCA Frameworks for Global SAF Initiatives
Leading aviation markets around the globe have launched SAF initiatives over the past few years. The range of incentives includes tax credits, GHG reduction incentives, and volume obligations. Optimizing the life cycle analysis (LCA) frameworks of these global SAF initiatives will be key to unlocking profitable growth for companies throughout the sector’s value chain.
Refueling Aviation in the United States, Targeted Opportunity Regions, and the regulatory & infrastructure environment required for scaling SAF
In the Refueling Aviation in the United States report, RMI explores the federal and state policy landscape, policy gaps, recommendations, and the path forward for SAF Target opportunity regions — select regions that have a competitive edge when it comes to producing and deploying SAF.
Industry Insights with Susan Van Dyk - Feedstock availability, sustainability, and development
In this interview Susan Van Dyk, an expert in the field of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) and biofuels and the trainer for our SAF Feedstock Course: Availability, Supply Chain & Sustainability, shares her insight on the differences in global feedstock availability and exciting new feedstocks currently being researched.
Industry Insights with Laura Wood - Agricultural feedstocks, SAF policy, and sustainable farming
In this interview Laura Wood, a natural resource and sustainability policy expert, and speaker at the upcoming Sustainable Aviation Futures North America Congress, shares her insight on how SAF and agriculture are linked, sustainability practices utilized by farmers, and what needs to happen with policy to support agriculture in scaling SAF.
Monetizing Biogas and Separated Food Waste for Transportation Fuel in the U.S.
Participating in EPA’s Renewable Fuel Standard (“RFS”) program, California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (“LCFS”) program and/or using federal tax credits comes with specific legal requirements, including related to the feedstock that is used for sustainable aviation fuel (“SAF”) production. This article highlights new requirements and challenges related to biogas, separated food waste recordkeeping, and related carbon accounting models.
Fueling the Future: How adequate is European public funding for SAF?
The aviation sector is at a critical juncture on a pathway to reaching net-zero emissions but opinion is divided on how the industry will get there. When non-CO2 effects are considered, the sector accounts for up to 5 per cent of global warming, but how well supported are efforts to reduce climate impact? Read on to learn more…
Top-line Takeaways from Sustainable Aviation Futures EU Congress 2024
The Sustainable Aviation Futures Congress focused on developing a SAF scale-up action plan, from understanding what drives sustainability strategy and decision-making, to comparing and contrasting the carrot vs. stick approaches of Europe and the USA. Lukas Ambraziejus, Utrecht University, a volunteer at the congress, shares his key insights and takeaways from the two main conference days.
Future Flight & Green Aerospace Technologies Conclusions from Sustainable Aviation Futures EU Congress 2024
While the challenges and opportunities for scaling SAF were the key focus of this years Congress, it is important not to overlook the technologies in development which can help drive towards a more sustainable industry. In this article, Mario Vesco, Sustainable Aero Lab, reflects on his key takeaways as host for the Future Flight stream.
Creating a SAF Action Plan: An Industry-led Solution to a Global Regulatory and Financing Challenge
Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is considered the aviation industry’s best option to reduce or eliminate emissions, but scaling SAF production to meet industry targets requires an integrated regulatory environment, innovative financing and collaboration within the industry. This article explores key mechanisms in place, or requiring development, to enable the scaling required.
The Start-up Technology Showdown Pitch Competition at Sustainable Aviation Futures EU Congress 2024
This year, Sustainable Aviation Futures EU Congress saw five innovative start-ups from the Sustainable Aero Lab program pitching to show why they are the most exciting new sustainable technology for the aviation industry - find out the winner, and learn about all five pitchers, here.
The Future of Clean Hydrogen for Aviation with Manuel Coxe
Manuel Coxe, MARCOGAZ and European Clean Hydrogen Joint Undertaking Stakeholders Group, shares expert insight on the hydrogen landscape across Europe, challenges for scaling infrastructure and adoption, and opportunities for aviation to innovate.
Challenges and Opportunities in the Scale-up of SAF Production
The use of SAF is expected to be the biggest contributor to aviation decarbonisation efforts and therefore to reaching IATA and ICAO’s ambitious 2050 goals. To achieve that anticipated impact, scale-up will need to be rapid, so understanding the potential hurdles, and opportunities to optimise, is vital.
Industry Insights with Aaron Robinson - Book and Claim, and Steps to Scale up SAF
Aaron Robinson, IAG, shares what he sees as the most underrepresented but critical considerations for scaling up SAF, and how he believes, as a member of the advisory board, it should be discussed at Sustainable Aviation Futures EU Congress, as well as insights into IAG's SAF strategy and achievements to date.
Industry Insights with Ralf Diemer, eFuel Alliance - Scaling eFuels in Europe and Beyond
In this interview Ralf Diemer, eFuel All ance and a member of the Sustainable Aviation Futures EU Congress Advisory Board, shares his insights into how interest eFuels has rapidly grown over the last 3 years, challenges to scaling eFuels to an economically viable point, and the importance of a collaborative, global approach.
Industry Insights with Jan-Marcus Lueckhof, DHL Group - Actions for Airlines to Reach SAF Targets
In this interview Jan-Marcus Lueckhof, a member of the Sustainable Aviation Futures EU Congress Advisory Board, shares what DHL Group is doing to meet their ambitious targets of SAF blending of 30% for their air transport operations by 2030, and the impact of Non-CO2 Policy on airlines operating in Europe.