Cargo Chat: A4A calls for SAF feedstock diversifications

In addition to increased production of sustainable aviation fuels, sustainable technologies like electric-powered flight and hydrogen fuel cells can help reduce carbon emissions in the aviation industry in the coming decades. [caption id="attachment_89599" align="alignright" width="300"] (Photo/Can Stock)[/caption] With the deadline to completely negate the amount of greenhouse gases produced by the industry less than 30 years away, supply chain operators and stakeholders are examining how to prioritize sustainability using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) as well as other technologies that can reduce carbon emissions. Washington - based airline advocacy group Airlines for America (A4A) works to “ advance the commercialization and deployment of SAF to help the industry meet its emissions reduction goals, diversify fuel supply and enhance energy security,” according to its SAF mission statement. Because SAF is widely considered as the industry’s best chance to achieve net zero, SAF feedstocks must be diversified and production must be ramp ed up , A4A told Air Cargo Next . A4A discussed with Air Cargo Next how the industry can meet the deadline while exploring alternate pathways. What follows is an edited version of that conversation. Air Cargo Next : What are the best ways to diversify SAF feedstocks? A4A : Several studies have shown that no single feedstock or technology pathway will be able to supply the amount of sustainable aviation fuel needed to meet the net-zero ambitions of the aviation industry. Each has its own constraints, and it will take a combination of all feedstocks and pathways to put aviation on a path toward net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Air Cargo Next : What kind of regulatory or government support is needed to ramp up SAF production? A4A : Government support is needed in the following key ways: Make SAF purchases more affordable for airlines and profitable for producers, which enables production growth. De-risk private investment for production projects using new feedstocks and technologies — first-of-a-kind commercial scale facilities are the most difficult to finance. Support technology development for new feedstock supply chains and convers technologies. Eliminate barriers to completing construction of new facilities, such as permitting reform. Air Cargo Next : How realistic is the 2050 net - zero target? A4A : Our goal in all of this is to make net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 more achievable. The capability does not exist today, but by making these kinds of investments , that goal becomes more attainable. Air Cargo Nex t: What are some challenges regarding sustainable technologies and how can those challenges be addressed? A4A : Other energy transition technologies are in development, such as electric - powered flight from batteries and hydrogen fuel cells, as well as liquified hydrogen combustion engines. All these technologies are in the early stages of development, with the promise of seeing small-scale and small-size commercial deployment in the next decade. The industry is starting to see prototype demonstration aircraft for electric vertical takeoff and landing and advanced air mobility applications, as well as retrofit demonstrations of regional turboprops. But there are fundamental technology and infrastructure challenges that will take decades to overcome for most aviation applications.

Cargo Chat: A4A calls for SAF feedstock diversifications

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