Clean Skies for Tomorrow: Sustainable Aviation Fuel Policy Toolkit

The report outlines a comprehensive framework for decarbonizing aviation through sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), which are identified as indispensable for medium- and long-haul flights. It details the techno-economic barriers to SAF scaling—primarily a cost differential where SAF is 2-4 times more expensive than fossil jet fuel—and proposes a 'menu of options' across supply, demand, and enabling policies. Key recommendations include implementing blending mandates, providing direct subsidies and contracts-for-difference, and establishing 'book and claim' accounting systems to facilitate global trade. The toolkit emphasizes the need for strict sustainability criteria to ensure a minimum 60% life-cycle GHG reduction and advocates for inter-sectoral coordination to prioritize feedstock for aviation over other transport sectors.

• Sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) are critical for aviation decarbonization, particularly for medium- and long-haul flights, which represent the majority of the sector's CO2 emissions.
• The primary barrier to SAF adoption is the cost, with market prices typically 2-4 times higher than traditional fossil jet fuel.
• SAF can achieve up to a 100% reduction in life-cycle CO2 emissions, though the toolkit uses a baseline of 60% reduction compared to conventional fuels as its sustainability anchor.
• HEFA (hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids) is currently the only SAF production pathway capable of being deployed at scale due to its technology readiness level.
• To increase SAF supply, the report suggests de-risking first-of-a-kind plants through contracts-for-difference (CfD) and providing a mix of upfront capital grants and low-interest loans.
• Demand can be stimulated through blending mandates, which create a clear market signal without direct burdens on public funds, though they may risk competitive distortions.
• The report recommends redirecting renewable feedstocks from other sectors to aviation, noting that Europe's existing biodiesel facilities could meet 10% of regional jet fuel demand if prioritized for SAF.
• A 'book and claim' (B+C) accounting system is proposed to decouple the environmental benefits of SAF from its physical delivery, reducing transport emissions and logistical barriers.
• Global harmonization of sustainability standards is essential to prevent a 'patchwork' of systems that could lead to carbon leakage and underinvestment.

APA

World Economic Forum (2021). Clean Skies for Tomorrow: Sustainable Aviation Fuel Policy Toolkit. https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Clean_Skies_for_Tomorrow_Sustainable_Aviation_Fuel_Policy_Toolkit_2021.pdf

Chicago

World Economic Forum. Clean Skies for Tomorrow: Sustainable Aviation Fuel Policy Toolkit. 2021. https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Clean_Skies_for_Tomorrow_Sustainable_Aviation_Fuel_Policy_Toolkit_2021.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Economic Forum |title=Clean Skies for Tomorrow: Sustainable Aviation Fuel Policy Toolkit |date=November 2021 |url=https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Clean_Skies_for_Tomorrow_Sustainable_Aviation_Fuel_Policy_Toolkit_2021.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldeconomicforum2021clean, author = {{World Economic Forum}}, title = {{Clean Skies for Tomorrow: Sustainable Aviation Fuel Policy Toolkit}}, institution = {World Economic Forum}, year = {2021}, month = nov, url = {https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Clean_Skies_for_Tomorrow_Sustainable_Aviation_Fuel_Policy_Toolkit_2021.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }