The International Air Transport Association (IATA), in collaboration with Worley Consulting, released a study on September 23, 2025, confirming that the main barrier to achieving the airline industry’s goal of net zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050 is not a shortage of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) feedstock but rather the slow pace of rollout for SAF production technologies. According to the study, sufficient sustainable feedstock exists globally, meeting strict environmental standards without causing adverse land use changes, to support the required 500 million tonnes of SAF annually by 2050.
Currently, most commercial SAF production relies on hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids (HEFA) technology, which converts waste oils into fuel. The study pointed out the need to accelerate the development of new technologies to diversify SAF production methods, especially power-to-liquid (PtL) technologies that rely on renewable electricity, green hydrogen, and carbon capture infrastructure. It also highlighted competition for biomass feedstock among various hard-to-decarbonize sectors, stressing the importance of prioritizing aviation in feedstock allocation.
IATA’s Director General, Willie Walsh, emphasized that feedstock availability should no longer be viewed as a limiting factor. He urged industry stakeholders to accelerate investments and build the infrastructure necessary to scale up SAF production rapidly. “We now have unequivocal evidence that the challenge lies in technology deployment, not feedstock,” Walsh said. “To meet net zero goals by 2050, shovels must be in the ground now.”
The study projects that biomass feedstock could sustainably supply over 300 million tonnes of bio-SAF annually by mid-century, with the remainder of the 500 million tonnes coming from PtL fuels. However, unlocking the full potential will require coordinated global policies, enhanced supply chain logistics, infrastructure investment, and technological innovation.
Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s Senior Vice President for Sustainability and Chief Economist, highlighted SAF’s potential to create jobs, boost local economies, and support energy security. She stressed the critical need for governments, investors, and industry stakeholders to collaborate on policy frameworks and investment incentives to de-risk projects and hasten the development of a fully functioning SAF market.
The report underscores regional leadership from key global players such as North America, Brazil, Europe, India, China, and ASEAN countries as vital to scaling up production and meeting global demand. Energy producers and investors are called upon to align their strategies with global decarbonization goals to ensure the rapid commercialization of SAF technologies.
The study serves as a critical reminder that while SAF feedstocks are abundant, turning this potential into actual production hinges on the acceleration of technologies, infrastructure readiness, and cross-sector collaboration. With only 25 years remaining to meet the ambitious net zero target, timely action and focused investments are paramount to decarbonizing the aviation sector and securing a sustainable future for air travel.
