WTTC Calls on Travel & Tourism Sector to Collaborate on Scaling Sustainable Aviation Fuel for Net-Zero Future

WTTC Urges the Travel & Tourism Industry to Collaborate on Scaling Sustainable Aviation Fuel for a Net-Zero FutureIn a landmark move, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), in partnership with global consultancy ICF, has released a comprehensive new framework urging the global Travel & Tourism sector to unite in tackling one of its most pressing challenges: scaling up the production and adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and other renewable fuels.

This call to action comes at a critical time when the sector is striving to meet ambitious net-zero targets and address its significant carbon footprint.

The Challenge: Scaling Sustainable Aviation Fuel Supply to Match Demand
Julia Simpson, WTTC President and CEO, highlighted the urgency of addressing the supply-demand imbalance for SAF:

“Sustainable fuel is the single biggest game-changer for Travel & Tourism, but right now, supply falls dangerously short of demand. If we don’t act together, we risk rising costs, limited availability, and stalled climate progress.”

Today, SAF accounts for a mere 0.3% of global jet fuel consumption. To align with net-zero emissions goals by 2050, production needs to increase more than 400-fold — from approximately 1.25 billion litres to over 450 billion litres annually. Achieving this scale will require establishing around 6,500 new renewable fuel plants globally. Sustainable Marine Fuel (SMF), which similarly addresses maritime transport emissions, faces analogous production and infrastructure barriers.

Why SAF is a Crucial, Practical Solution
Unlike some decarbonisation options that require new aircraft or engine technologies, SAF is a ‘drop-in’ fuel, meaning it can be used directly in existing engines and infrastructure without modification. This characteristic makes it an attractive and immediate solution for reducing aviation emissions.

However, the challenges of high production costs, limited feedstock availability, and underdeveloped infrastructure have kept SAF production volumes low and prices significantly higher than conventional jet fuel — sometimes up to ten times more expensive. Overcoming these hurdles is essential for broad adoption.

WTTC-ICF Framework: A Blueprint for Sector-Wide Engagement
The new report, Scaling Up Sustainable Fuel, provides a practical roadmap tailored to different types of businesses within the Travel & Tourism ecosystem, including hotels, tour operators, travel agencies, cruise lines, and airlines. It defines clear roles businesses can assume to support SAF growth, categorized as:

Collaborators: Entities that join campaigns, promote sustainable fuels, and share best practices.

Promoters: Those who actively educate stakeholders and customers on sustainable fuel benefits.

Adopters: Companies purchasing SAF or sustainable fuel certificates to reduce their carbon footprint.

Investors: Businesses funding production facilities or infrastructure development to increase SAF availability.

This tiered approach ensures that every organization, regardless of size or resources, can contribute meaningfully to scaling sustainable fuel use.

Insights from Industry Leaders and Case Studies
Daniel Galpin, Managing Director of ICF, emphasized the crucial role of the wider tourism ecosystem in supporting decarbonisation:

“Decarbonising transport is a crucial step towards achieving a sustainable tourism sector. While transport industries, particularly aviation with its focus on Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), have recognised the importance of sustainable fuels and are courageously working towards a new era, there remains a significant journey ahead.”

Real-world examples underscore progress already underway:

The Erawan Group in Asia is innovatively converting hotel waste oil into SAF, turning waste into a valuable, renewable resource.

Jet2 has invested in a UK-based SAF plant that utilizes recyclable household waste, exemplifying circular economy principles.

These cases demonstrate how different stakeholders across Travel & Tourism can harness innovative solutions to support sustainable fuel production.

Economic and Environmental Imperatives for Scaling SAF
Travel & Tourism is forecasted to generate $16.5 trillion and support over 460 million jobs globally by 2035. The sector’s growth is vital to economies worldwide, but it must proceed sustainably to protect the environment.

Government bodies, such as the UK’s Department for Transport (DfT) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), emphasize the importance of transitioning to renewable fuels to meet climate commitments under the Paris Agreement and national net-zero targets.

The European Union’s ReFuelEU Aviation initiative, part of the EU’s broader “Fit for 55” climate package, mandates increasing SAF use on flights operating in the bloc, illustrating government efforts to regulate and stimulate sustainable fuel uptake (European Commission Aviation).

The Risk of Inaction: Rising Costs and Consumer Impact
The WTTC-ICF report warns that without collective sector action, governments may impose SAF mandates requiring airlines to blend 5% to 10% SAF into jet fuel by 2030.

Without sufficient supply and cooperative engagement from the Travel & Tourism industry, these mandates could lead to increased travel costs and reduced consumer choice, potentially dampening demand and stalling tourism recovery post-pandemic.

Therefore, proactive investment and participation from all tourism businesses are essential to scale supply, reduce costs, and ensure an equitable transition.

Broader Role of Sustainable Marine Fuel (SMF)
In addition to aviation, sustainable marine fuels are critical for decarbonizing the cruise and shipping sectors. Like SAF, SMF adoption faces challenges related to feedstock competition, production costs, and infrastructure development. The WTTC encourages the maritime sector within Travel & Tourism to also align with sustainable fuel scaling efforts to achieve holistic industry decarbonisation.

Government and Industry Collaboration: A Key to Success
Governments play a pivotal role in incentivizing SAF production through policy instruments such as tax credits, subsidies, and research funding.

The U.S. Inflation Reduction Act and the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive set examples of ambitious policies designed to accelerate sustainable fuel market growth.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) advocates for public-private partnerships to bridge investment gaps and create viable supply chains.

Conclusion: A Collective Call to Action
Sustainable fuel represents both an environmental necessity and a business imperative for the Travel & Tourism sector.

WTTC’s new framework highlights that from hotels and tour operators to airlines and cruise lines, every business has a critical role in scaling production and adoption of SAF and SMF.

The path to net-zero emissions requires collaboration, innovation, and strategic investment.

By uniting behind this framework and engaging at their capacity level, stakeholders can power a cleaner, more sustainable future for global Travel & Tourism, securing economic benefits while protecting the planet for generations to come.

Source: https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/wttc-calls-on-travel-tourism-sector-to-collaborate-on-scaling-sustainable-aviation-fuel-for-net-zero-future/