THE WORLD is flying again. In the first nine months of 2024, around 1.1 billion tourists boarded planes for overseas breaks – taking flight levels back to 98% of prepandemic levels, according to the latest World Tourism Barometer from UN Tourism.

Despite ongoing economic and geopolitical turbulence, the global tourism industry is expected to make a full recovery by the end of 2024 and will most likely climb to new highs, more than eliminating the environmental gains of those pandemic times.

However, while the rebound in aviation has been impressive, its level of sustainability has been distinctly unimpressive. Only around one million tonnes of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) was produced in 2024, far below earlier projections of 2.5 million tonnes.

The International Air Transport Association says SAF volumes are increasing “disappointingly slowly” as oil companies struggling with tight margins prioritise short-term profit over long-term investment in sustainable solutions.

Aviation accounts for approximately 2-3% of global greenhouse emissions and, if unchecked, that ratio could triple by 2050, driven by rising passenger numbers and freight demand.

The potential impact of SAF was inadvertently demonstrated five years ago this spring, when people stopped travelling, tourism and international business stalled and more than 80% of airplanes were grounded as we fell into the grip of a global pandemic.

Cleaner climate

One bright spot in dark and troubling times, however, was a dramatic fall in pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. As the terrifying virus raced across every continent, humankind stood still, and the doomsday clock of global warming was temporarily stalled.

Lockdowns and travel restrictions led to cleaner air and clearer skies. Nature began to recover in ways not seen for decades. For a fleeting moment, we were shown the profound impact of human behaviour on our planet and the effect of changing our ways.

The temporary reduction in emissions was compelling evidence of nature’s ability to recover when we take action that helps it to do so. It is our collective duty to take heed of that lesson and find ways to make the temporary reduction a permanent one.

The higher cost of SAF compared with conventional jet fuel is a barrier to its adoption with factors including feedstock costs, processing technologies and limited economies of scale contributing to the price disparity.

Airlines are hesitant to invest in SAF without government incentives or mandates to support the transition. In the absence of information, ignorance and disinterest about the benefits of SAF is widespread.

Economies of scale

Above all, SAF must be economically viable to encourage its widespread adoption. It needs significant investment and support – because without it, the aviation industry will almost certainly struggle to become more sustainable.

Greater public understanding and acceptance of SAF is crucial to drive demand. Governments have a key role to play in this transition by providing clear policies and financial incentives, like those given to the solar and wind energy sectors.

While some have questioned early-generation forms of SAF for its sources and the effectiveness of its mixtures, they have overlooked the potential it holds and the benefits it can deliver.

The Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) framework allows for feedstocks including cooking oil, by-products and palm oil mill effluent (POME) to be repurposed, expanding options for greater production volumes.

Continuing improvements in production methods and feedstock selection can further enhance emissions reduction and boost the sustainability of SAF. It is vital we take advantage of these opportunities and take our first steps towards sustainable aviation.

Collaborative efforts between governments, airlines and fuel producers are essential to create a supportive environment for the development of SAF and that is the approach we energetically advocate at EcoCeres.

EcoCeres produces SAF made exclusively by repurposing waste feedstock. Our SAF is derived from 100% waste-based biomass and can achieve up to a 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional jet fuel.

By focusing on waste feedstock, EcoCeres not only contributes to reducing emissions, but also helps address waste management issues. We are also developing systematic tools to enhance traceability in our supply chain to ensure compliance with sustainability standards.

Our new plant in Malaysia is expected to be completed by the end of this year which will enable us to increase our total annual production to 770,000 metric tonnes of renewable fuels, the majority of which will be SAF.

We recently teamed up with HSBC Hong Kong and Cathay Pacific to establish a SAF ecosystem in Hong Kong, promoting innovation and improving the traceability of the travel supply chain.

Under the arrangement, HSCB entered into a one-time purchase agreement for SAF produced by EcoCeres, which will be used to refuel Cathay Pacific aircraft flying out of Hong Kong.

The partnership allows HSCB and Cathay Pacific to share the costs of SAF while generating carbon offsetting benefits for both of them, creating a viable economic model for businesses and airlines to work together towards aviation decarbonisation.

We hope this groundbreaking initiative will inspire global efforts towards meaningful decarbonization in the aviation sector.

However, much work remains to be done to generate the amount of interest and partnerships needed to make this possible.

The outlook for SAF is both challenging and hopeful. While the price of SAF is expected to remain relatively high in the foreseeable future, ongoing research and development in SAF production technologies can lead to more cost-effective processes.

Despite the obstacles, the potential benefits of SAF in addressing climate change and promoting sustainable aviation are immense.

The journey towards widespread adoption requires cooperation, innovation and commitment – but the rewards in sustainability, economic growth, and energy security will make it well worth the effort.

Bear in mind those days five years ago when our skies became bluer, and the air we breathed a little cleaner. That was a vision not only of the past but of the future if we are brave enough to innovate, cooperate, and change for the good of generations to come.

—Matti Lievonen, Chief Executive Officer, EcoCeres