Airlines Say 2050 Net-Zero Goal Is Slipping as SAF Covers Just 0.8% of Fuel Needs
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jun 8
Airlines Say 2050 Net-Zero Goal Is Slipping as SAF Covers Just 0.8% of Fuel Needs
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jun 8
Summary
Willie Walsh told the Iata summit the industry will probably miss its 2050 net-zero target and needs an urgent discussion on a more realistic timetable.
Just 2.4 million tonnes of sustainable aviation fuel are expected this year—0.8% of airline fuel needs—far short of the 500 million tonnes, or 65%, Iata says are required by 2050.
Walsh blamed fuel suppliers, governments and aircraft manufacturers, saying Corsia is being undermined by government inaction and deliveries of more efficient aircraft are being delayed.
A 5% emissions cut from SAF by 2030 already has no credible path, Iata said, while UK and EU e-SAF mandates were described as detached from reality and likely to raise costs.
The admission sharpens pressure on governments backing airport expansion, including in the UK, and reinforces long-running criticism that aviation climate pledges relied on technologies and policies not yet in place.
As aviation's green fuel dream fades, is capping flights the only realistic path left to meet climate goals?
Airlines admit their climate pledge is failing. Who will now pay the price for greening the skies—passengers or taxpayers?
After the KLM greenwashing verdict, will airlines be forced to refund billions in now-discredited carbon offset fees?
Sustainable Aviation Fuel in 2026: Barriers, Policy Failures, and the Urgent Path to Net-Zero
Overview
By mid-2026, the aviation industry’s net-zero ambitions are under serious threat due to limited Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production, high costs, and slow policy progress. Airlines face rising fuel prices and uncertain compliance costs, while SAF remains two to five times more expensive than conventional fuel. Policy mandates often outpace actual production capacity, creating further economic strain. Regional disparities and fragmented infrastructure make global scale-up difficult. Without stable, long-term incentives and coordinated action, the industry risks missing climate targets, facing stricter regulations, and losing public trust, highlighting the urgent need for practical solutions and accelerated execution.