Consultation period opens on options for future treatment of SAF in UK ETS
- Ron Kotrba
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
The U.K.’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero announced March 23 that the U.K. Emissions Trading Scheme Authority is seeking views on options for the future treatment of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in the U.K. ETS.
In June 2023, the U.K. ETS Authority made a commitment to develop, then consult on, proposals regarding the claiming of emissions reductions from SAF by aircraft operators under the U.K. ETS.
“We wish to ensure that SAF is accounted for appropriately in the U.K. ETS, taking into account interaction with the U.K. government’s SAF mandate, which came into effect Jan. 1, 2025,” the department stated.
The consultation also considers potential operational changes to how SAF use under the U.K. ETS is regulated.
The consultation closes June 15.
The Welsh government stated that the U.K. ETS currently incentivizes the use of SAF by requiring airlines to purchase fewer carbon allowances when they reduce emissions, which SAF helps achieve.
“The U.K. ETS uses the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation for the sustainability criteria for fuel to be considered as SAF,” the Welsh government stated. “However, in the U.K. the RTFO has been succeeded by the U.K. government SAF mandate, which came into force Jan. 1, 2025.”
The consultation asks stakeholders for their views on changing the sustainability criteria for a fuel to be considered as SAF under the U.K. ETS, and how it should be rewarded, the government of Wales said.
The consultation will be followed by a response from the U.K. ETS Authority, which will be published prior to legislation being laid that will enact any changes resulting from the consultation.
“Through the U.K. ETS, we must encourage technologies that will help Wales on its journey to net zero,” the Welsh government stated. “This consultation is key to understand how the U.K. ETS can support the uptake of SAF by rewarding its use.”
For more information, including documentation, ways to respond and more, click here.
