The flying business is at a critical juncture, and Neste CEO Heikki Malinen thinks that the way out is evident: governments should introduce long-term mandates for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to steer production and speed up the shift toward cleaner skies.
Neste, the world leader in SAF production, has been leading the way for airlines to cut their carbon footprints. Malinen highlights that stable government policies are essential to make such fuels widely accessible and at an affordable cost. Without them, investments in producing SAF may slacken, forcing the aviation industry to fight an uphill battle to achieve its sustainability goals.
Why Long-Term Mandates Matter
Today, the rate of production of SAF is not matching industry demand. Most airlines would welcome the use of cleaner fuels, but restricted supply and expense limit their wide-scale adoption. A clear and stable mandate by governments would convince fuel producers to make the necessary investment in new plants and equipment to produce the amount needed to satisfy future demand.
“Industry requires certainty,” Malinen says. “Short-term policies do not provide companies with the security to make the investments needed to ramp up SAF production.” He emphasizes that long-term mandates will not only help fuel producers but also airlines, the planet, and ultimately passengers who want more sustainable travel.
The Aviation Challenge
Aviation decarbonization is perhaps the most challenging task in the battle against global warming. Aviation accounts for a considerable percentage of worldwide emissions, and SAF is so far the best means of lessening the industry’s carbon footprint. However, Europe’s 6% target for 2030 for SAF is already causing consternation among airlines. Numerous carriers have cautioned that, in the absence of governmental subsidies and definitive policies, it might be impossible to achieve these targets.
By providing long-term support, governments can send a message to investors and entrepreneurs that sustainable fuels are not just a fad—sustainable fuels are the future. It will get airlines and fuel manufacturers to embrace pioneering solutions, from next-generation biofuels to waste-to-fuel technologies, in getting the aviation industry to achieve net-zero emissions.
A Shared Responsibility
Malinen’s appeal underscores a plain fact: decarbonizing aviation is not solely the airlines’ or fuel producers’ task—it takes firm government leadership. Mandates that ensure transparency on fuel blending obligation, pricing, and long-term goals can establish a healthy SAF market, facilitating cleaner flights without leaving airlines on the financial hook.
While worldwide demand for air transport keeps increasing, the call for sustainable solutions only becomes more pressing. Governments, airlines, and producers of fuel have to act together. Definite, long-term directives for SAF can translate ambition into action and make the future of air transport cleaner and more sustainable.
