Aviation has been one of the engines of economic and social development in recent decades, as it connects territories, promoting European integration and, in addition, the appearance of low-cost airlines has contributed to democratizing trips that were previously only available to reach of some people. This sector facilitates the transport of people and goods, but is also key in certain humanitarian situations, such as the transfer of medical personnel and emergency materials, in addition to the transport of organs for transplant. However, this industry is aware of its environmental impact and is therefore actively working towards decarbonization. Currently, aviation represents between 2 and 3% of global carbon dioxide emissions, according to data from Our World in Dataand the current challenge is to move towards greater sustainability, while preserving the social and economic benefits that the sector brings.
Currently, airlines are committed to the energy transition hand in hand with the promotion of the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, within the framework of the Union’s RefuelEU. European. This initiative is part of the Fit For 55 legislative package which aims to reduce the percentage of emissions by 55% until 2030 and establishes requirements for aviation fuel suppliers to gradually increase the proportion of SAF and synthetic fuels.
SAF is defined in the ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation as aviation fuels that are synthetic, aviation biofuels or aviation fuels from recycled carbon. SAF has a lower net carbon footprint compared to conventional fuels, and has the potential to reduce the carbon intensity of flights.
Specifically, for next year, 2% of the fuel used is required to be SAF. This figure will increase progressively until reaching 70% in 2050. For Franc Sanmartí, Director of Sustainability of the airline Vuelingit is “a key alternative that is produced sustainably from organic waste and synthetic processes.” From his point of view, “SAF offers a solution by allowing carbon dioxide emissions to be reduced by 80% in its life cycle, from production to use, compared to traditional fuels. Even in the case of synthetic fuels, the reduction can be 100%.”
The airline, born in Barcelona in 2004, is part of IAG —International Airlines Group—, which was the first airline group committed to achieving net zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050, through its program FlightPath Net Zero. In this framework, explains Sanmartí, “we have set the goal of operating 10% of our flights with SAF by 2030, almost double the requirement established by the European Commission.” To continue driving the adoption of SAF, the firm has joined the Seduco-Wenergy Industrial Group to promote joint projects that allow the development of advanced organic SAF, produced from agricultural waste such as slurry. In addition, it collaborates with two of the largest suppliers in Spain, Repsol and Cepsa, as well as with the Greenova Foundation, specialized in carbon dioxide capture technology. It also participates in initiatives of the Hydrogen Network and the Hydrogen Valley in Catalonia to promote the production of green hydrogen, an essential component in the manufacture of synthetic SAF.
The opportunities of the coming revolution
Despite its advantages, SAF faces significant challenges, the most relevant being large-scale manufacturing. This means that SAF is currently at least 3 to 4 times more expensive. At this time, its global production is far from satisfying the demand of the aviation industry, and with current infrastructure, only 0.1% of global demand would be covered. In Spain alone, it is estimated that the decarbonization of aviation will require five million tons of SAF per year by 2050.
Spain, for its part, has a unique opportunity to lead the production of SAF, thanks to the availability of raw materials and the natural characteristics of our country with competitive costs in the generation of renewable energy.. This context gives the country an advantage over other markets. The implementation of a national SAF industry could not only supply local demand, estimated at five million tons annually by 2050, but also position Spain as a key exporter of this resource in the international market. The study The socioeconomic impact of SAF development in Spain prepared by PwC for Iberia and Vueling suggests that the construction of between 30 and 40 plants throughout the country would be enough to cover internal demand, which would also generate a new source of wealth and employment in the territory.
The same study recognizes that this expansion of the SAF would also generate other economic benefits: “It is estimated that the construction and operation of these plants could contribute 56 billion euros to the GDP and create 270,000 new jobs until 2050,” it states. Finally, Vueling highlights that “not only the future of aviation depends on SAF, but also tourism itself.”
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