Aviation industry looking to expand use of biofuels

Canadian aviation industry leaders are joining forces to create the Canadian Council for Sustainable Aviation Fuels (C-SAF), whose mission is to accelerate the deployment of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) in Canada.

Created by a consortium of 60 airlines operating in Canada and including suppliers, aerospace manufacturers, airports, finance, and academia, the Council will aim to facilitate the production and supply of affordable, low-carbon, made-in- Canada SAF.

The C-SAF will also act as the voice of its members with governments and stakeholders to develop an ambitious strategy and roadmap for a profitable and sustainable SAF market in Canada.

Sustainable aviation fuels can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% and can be used now without significant modifications to aircraft or supply infrastructure. Their use will allow for rapid results in achieving carbon neutrality in the sector.

Expensive at present

Sustainable aviation fuels are produced from renewable feedstocks that are widely available in Canada, such as forest and agricultural residues, industrial fats, oils and grease, municipal solid wastes and CO2 captured from industrial processes or the air. Canada has all the ingredients to create an affordable and reliable SAF market: an abundance of renewable feedstocks, low-carbon energy sources, climate policies and evolving carbon pricing.

However, sustainable aviation fuels can cost up to eight times more than traditional jet fuel and are not produced or imported in significant quantities into Canada.

Decarbonizing aviation

“Decarbonizing Canadian aviation requires collaboration between industry, governments, scientists and airlines. The C-SAF provides a space for a common dialogue to facilitate the exchange of ideas to reduce GHG emissions from aviation and we strongly believe that with everyone working together, change can happen faster,” said Geoff Tauvette, executive director of the C-SAF.

“We want to promote and implement sound public policies to address aviation’s need for a sustainable, made-in-Canada, affordable supply of aviation fuel. I salute the vision of the industry players and thank all of our partners who will enable Canada to become a leader in the decarbonization of global aviation.”