EU launches eSAF Early Movers Coalition

The European Commission welcomed the Dec. 4 launch of the eSAF Early Movers Coalition, which brings together member states committed to scaling up the production and uptake of synthetic aviation fuels (eSAF). 

Austria, Finland, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal and Spain announced their participation in the coalition in the margins of the Transport Council in Brussels.

As a key initiative resulting from the Sustainable Transport Investment Plan, the coalition underscores the essential role of synthetic aviation fuels in boosting the decarbonization of the aviation sector.

Under the ReFuelEU aviation regulation, eSAF must account for 1.2 percent of fuel supplied at EU airports by 2030 and 35 percent by 2050.

The EU is already home to more than 40 eSAF projects awaiting final-investment decisions, making increased investment essential to strengthen Europe’s industrial leadership in this sector. 

“With the launch of this coalition, we are strengthening the EU aviation sector’s efforts to reduce emissions,” said Apostolos Tzitzikostas, the commissioner for sustainable transport and tourism. “I welcome the dedication of the participating member states. Their financial contributions—aiming to mobilize at least 500-million euros (USD$582 million) for large-scale projects—will stimulate the needed investments and support swift deployment of eSAF in the EU.”

Members of the coalition will seek to provide financial support for the organization of double-sided auctions for eSAF, with the first auction planned for 2026.

Double-sided auctions will offer producers long-term revenue certainty and provide buyers with competitive, short-term contracts.

The coalition will begin its work immediately and remains open to all interested member states.