Share this on social media
MEPs vote to broaden the definition of ‘sustainable aviation fuels’
(EurActiv, 28 Jun 2022) Lawmakers in the European Parliament’s Transport committee voted to expand the definition of green jet fuel yesterday (27 June), a decision that could see controversial biofuel feedstocks used to cut aviation emissions.
The amended text was passed by 25 votes to six with three abstentions following an agreement by MEPs in three of the Parliament’s largest voting blocs – the centre-right EPP, the centrist Renew, and the centre-left S&D group.
The Greens rejected the transport committee’s stance however, arguing that the position is at odds with the EU’s climate goals.
Tabled in July 2021 by the European Commission as part of a broader package of climate laws, the “ReFuelEU Aviation” proposal requires all aircraft departing from an EU airport to uplift a fixed percentage of green jet fuel.
This percentage scales up over time and includes additional sub-targets for electro-fuels – a carbon-neutral fuel derived from the combination of green hydrogen and captured CO2.
Under the European Commission’s proposal, sustainable aviation fuels are limited to electro-fuels and biofuels produced from EU-approved feedstocks, which include agricultural and forestry residues, used cooking oil, and animal tallow.
Food-and-feed based biofuels are ineligible for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) inclusion due to concerns over their contribution to deforestation abroad.
External link
EurActiv, 28 Jun 2022: MEPs vote to broaden the definition of ‘sustainable aviation fuels’
