Earth Month Spotlight: Sustainable Aviation Fuel’s Role in Green Aviation

Aviation is stepping up sustainability efforts, and Earth Month is an ideal time to reflect on progress. The industry’s net-zero 2050 roadmap relies heavily on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) – a drop-in alternative to jet fuel that can cut lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80%. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), SAF could account for about 65% of the emissions reduction aviation needs by 2050​ (iata.org), far more than any other single solution. Innovators are also exploring electric and hydrogen aircraft, but SAF is critical in the near term because it works with existing fleets and infrastructure​ (iata.org).

However, current SAF adoption is not yet on track. In 2024, global SAF production was only ~0.3% of total jet fuel and even fell short of expected volumes​ (iata.org). IATA’s Director General described the growth as “disappointingly slow”​ (iata.org). Similarly, McKinsey analysts warn that demand for SAF could outstrip supply by 2030 unless production capacity accelerates dramatically​ (mckinsey.com). This underlines the urgency for stakeholders to understand the bottlenecks and solutions for scaling up SAF.

If you’re curious to dive deeper into the current state of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), we highly recommend the latest report by Boston Consulting Group (BCG), published in March 2025 and titled “Sustainable Aviation Fuels Need a Faster Takeoff.”

This 12-minute read offers one of the most recent and comprehensive analyses on the topic, based on a survey of over 500 aviation executives across the value chain — including airlines, aircraft and engine manufacturers, lessors, and fuel producers. The report provides a candid, non-promotional look at the barriers slowing SAF adoption and presents actionable recommendations for accelerating scale-up across the industry.

But if you don’t have time to go through the full report — don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Here’s a quick breakdown of the key insights and takeaways you need to know.

Key findings from the BCG report include:

• • Momentum vs. Reality: Sustainable aviation fuel supply grew an astounding 1,150% worldwide over the past three years, but this progress began from near-zero and remains a drop in the bucket. In 2024 SAF made up just 0.3% of global jet fuel​. After an early spike, the expansion has slowed amid economic and regulatory uncertainties, high production costs, and weak demand signals from airlines​. In fact, some planned SAF projects have been delayed, putting 2030 goals at risk. 

    

  • Industry’s Cautious Approach: A majority of aviation companies are hesitant to invest aggressively in SAF. Roughly two-thirds of firms are taking a “measured” wait-and-see strategy and expect to remain observers rather than market leaders in SAF by 2030​. Even though 80% of companies express confidence they can meet their 2030 SAF usage targets, only 14% feel well-prepared to overcome the practical challenges ahead​. The biggest hurdle cited is the lack of a clear business case – in other words, it’s hard to justify large investments in SAF without stronger evidence of future returns​
    

    

  • Collaboration & Policy Are Key: No single player can scale SAF alone; the report emphasizes creating a “virtuous cycle” where policy support and firm airline commitments drive greater supply, and vice versa​. BCG urges industry-wide collaboration to break the stalemate. For example, airlines and corporate buyers can aggregate demand and agree on common SAF trading standards, providing producers the confidence to invest in new capacity. On the supply side, fuel providers and manufacturers should scale up SAF projects and innovate (e.g. advanced feedstocks, e-fuels) beyond 2030 to continually improve availability and cost​. In short, stakeholders must join forces so that regulations, investments, and offtake agreements all reinforce each other to accelerate SAF adoption.