Late Tuesday night, negotiators reached a final agreement on ReFuelEU Aviation. ReFuelEU is a new EU law that aims to increase the supply and demand of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) in the EU. Under the deal, most planes flying in the EU will be subject to minimum levels of SAF usage that increase over time, starting from 2025. These targets include 6% SAF use by 2030, 20% by 2035 and 70% by 2050, as a percentage of total fuel used. Negotiators also adopted a definition of SAFs that prevents palm oil by-products and other damaging biofuels from counting towards the fuel use targets. These are essential protections that will limit the potential negative impact of this law on deforestation, land use and food security. These were priorities for lead Greens/EFA negotiator Ciarán Cuffe, who successfully lobbied for these protections to be included in the final deal.

MEP Cuffe said: “This sustainable fuels agreement is the first plan for how the aviation industry plays its part in a climate-neutral EU. ReFuelEU is also the first international agreement of its kind, and I hope it sets an example for other regions. We know the tools we need to make aviation more sustainable, and now it’s time to lead by example and start ramping up. Under this deal, we have mandated the increasing use of sustainable aviation fuels over time, setting a pathway for the aviation sector to rid itself of fossil fuel dependence. The targets agreed are not enough to reach climate neutrality however, and we are disappointed that nuclear power can contribute to the production of some of these fuels. Ramping up the use of renewable fuels will therefore be essential to reach our climate goals in the coming years, particularly as biofuels can only play a limited role. This is why I am pleased that a higher proportion of e-fuels than what the Commission originally proposed has been agreed. Such fuels offer the most promising route to a decarbonised aviation sector.

We ensured that palm oil by-products and other damaging biofuels cannot be used as fuels for aviation. We are also finally taking action on the non-CO2 effects of flying - which can make the climate impact of aviation almost three times worse than just the CO2 emissions that are released alone. For the first time, we will begin monitoring the levels of aromatic and sulphur content in jet fuel, and the Commission will have to come forward with measures to optimise their levels in fuels by 2027 at the latest, if not before. Of course, the most sustainable option remains taking a train or not flying at all, and that is why it is so important to keep the focus on improving and increasing the alternative options for travel that are available. However, this law will help reduce the environmental impact of aviation in the long run.”

The agreement reached overnight will be presented to the European Parliament and the EU countries in the Council of the EU for a final vote. Once approved, the regulation immediately becomes law.