Debate: Sustainable aviation fuels
Date: THURSDAY, 7 JULY 2022
Speaker: Kadri Simson
Language: EN

As you know, as an important element of the ‘Fit for 55’ package, it is a key deliverable of the European Green Deal and will play a crucial role in decarbonising aviation. We urgently need to create a market for sustainable aviation fuels and put aviation on the path to carbon neutrality by 2050. Sustainable aviation fuels are an essential component to contribute to decarbonising aviation in the near term, in particular for medium and long-haul flights. But liquid fuels are expected to remain predominant at least until 2050. When deployed at large scale, they will enable a significant reduction in CO2 and other pollutant emissions from the sector, allowing citizens to connect by plane across the EU and beyond more responsibly already in the short term. The report adopted in the TRAN Committee is the result of a well-balanced compromise following months of discussions. Whilst, as usual at this stage, the Commission reserves its judgement until it formally enters into trilogue discussions with the European Parliament and Council, we consider that the report we are debating today goes in the right direction on many aspects, even if some elements are of concern. The Commission particularly welcomes the report’s emphasis on the need for an EU-level harmonised regulation that provides for a level playing field for aviation in the EU internal market. In addition, the proposed sustainable aviation fuels allowance scheme could help bridge the remaining price gap between these fuels and fossil fuels, while the creation of a fund dedicated to sustainability might deserve further analysis. We also welcome provisions on better monitoring of substances causing non-CO2 effects. On other aspects of the report, the Commission has some reservations as some of the amendments could reduce the efficiency of the regulation. Let me mention three points of critical importance. First, it is key to make sure that the regulation supports innovative sustainable aviation fuels, technologies and feedstock with high decarbonisation and scalability potential. Expanding the ‘sustainable aviation fuels’ definition could delay investments in advanced biofuels and e-fuels, which are needed in very large volumes already in the medium term. Quality should prevail over quantity. Setting higher binding targets must be carefully considered in terms of the overall environmental integrity of the proposal, the burden placed on air carriers and the need to maintain a well-functioning aviation market. The regulation should aim to ensure a level playing field among air operators and airports within the EU and to avoid carbon leakage. And finally, on the transition period, we must keep in mind the objective that sustainable aviation fuels should be physically available at all airports as soon as possible. There is no evidence that establishing a book and claim system – in other words, a virtual sustainable aviation fuels market – would bring any benefits, nor that such a system could be put in place without risks of fraud. In conclusion, there is a clear need for swift action, and we have a clear pathway. By delivering a robust legal framework, we will encourage investments and allow the EU sustainable aviation fuels production capacity to scale up at the necessary pace to meet our climate goals. I look forward to the discussion today and, once again, I thank the rapporteur and shadow rapporteurs for their work on this file.