All the planes in the world used about 100 billion gallons of jet fuel crossing the planet in 2024. Only about 0.5% of that was anything other than fossil fuels. That could change quickly.
Why is this important?
emissions, which currently account for about 4% of global warming.
These new fuels can be made from materials such as used slovenia number data cooking oils, crop residues, industrial waste and carbon dioxide captured from the air. Depending on the source, they can cut emissions in half or almost eliminate them entirely. And they can usually be used in existing aircraft, which could contribute to rapid progress on climate.
More and more governments are now setting targets or passing laws requiring airlines to start using these alternative fuels (sometimes called sustainable aviation fuels, or SAF). Starting this year, alternative fuels must make up at least 2% of the fuel used at airports in the European Union and the UK. This mandate will increase over the coming decades, reaching 70% in the EU by 2050. One of the most important factors for alternative jet fuels in the future will be cost – on average, SAF on the market today is typically almost three times more expensive than conventional jet fuel.