Joint Statement on Sustainable Aviation Fuels Supported by Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden

Despite the current pandemic and its unprecedented impacts on the aviation industry, it is of the utmost importance that economic recovery does not lead to backsliding in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Recovery should go hand in hand with accelerating the environmental transition of the industry in order to achieve Europe's climate goals and to make aviation more resilient and future-proof.

Sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) will have a significant role in reducing the carbon footprint of the aviation sector in the coming decades. Technologically, drop-in use of SAF through blending is already possible. The current infrastructure at airport level is sufficient so that airlines are not confronted with significant changes to their operations and a blending mandate can be implemented quickly. We, the above-mentioned Member States, see the use of SAF as one of the most achievable and effective pathways to reduce the climate effects of the aviation sector in the short term.

We therefore:

Support the aim of the European Commission to boost the supply and demand for SAF in the EU so as to create favorable conditions in order to ramp up the production and deployment of SAF based on robust sustainability criteria. The potential of synthetic aviation fuels, in addition to advanced sustainable biofuels is clear. The challenge is to make use of the current momentum by providing for a clear long-term perspective so as to contribute to a scalable SAF marketplace. A European blending mandate for SAF can achieve this

Call upon the European Commission to further stimulate and incentivize the uptake of sustainable aviation fuels, including synthetic fuels, through funding programmes under the existing financial framework.

Welcome the ReFuelEU Aviation initiative as a starting point for further EU coordination so as to ensure an integral and effective long-term agenda on sustainable aviation.

Mr. Engelbrecht, Minister of Transport, Denmark

Mr. Harakk, Minister of Transport and Communications, Finland

Mr. Djebbari, Minister of State for Transport, France

Mr. Scheuer, Minister of Transport and Digital Infrastructure, Germany

Mr. Bausch, Minister for Mobility and Public Works, Luxembourg

Mrs. Van Nieuwenhuizen, Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management, The Netherlands

Mr. Pedro Saura, Secretary of State for Transport, Spain

Mr. Eneroth, Minister of Infrastructure, Sweden

Press release by the Ministry of Mobility and Public Works