The Greens have called for MEPs to reject an expanded EU definition of “Sustainable Aviation Fuels” (SAFs) that would allow unsustainable feedstocks, such as palm oil derivatives, and some food crops, to count towards EU sustainable aviation fuel targets. The Greens/EFA are calling instead for MEPs to back the original SAF definition proposed by the European Commission. This definition is supported by Airlines for Europe (A4E), Europe’s largest airline association representing major airlines such as Ryanair, Air France-KLM, and Lufthansa. It is also supported by Parliament’s environment and energy committees. MEPs will vote on the proposed definition change in Strasbourg this Thursday.  

Ciarán Cuffe, Irish Green MEP, said: “The broad coalition of political, environmental, and major industry interests in favour of keeping the Commission’s definition is testament to the deep unpopularity of burning unsustainable biofuels like palm oil to fuel our planes. With food insecurity on the rise and war in Ukraine ongoing, approval for this definition change is all the more reckless. This change would also stifle innovation in the development of sustainable e-fuels and more sustainable advanced biofuels. Parliament must vote this Thursday to protect the Commission’s SAFs definition.”

Jutta Paulus, German Green MEP, said: “The European Parliament's Transport Committee has failed to understand the work mandate and is instead proposing measures that miss the EU climate target. MEPs must reject the ReFuelEU Aviation report if the necessary improvements are not made. The proposals of the EU Commission, EU member states, environmental and industry committees, and airlines are ignored. The European Parliament is voting on a law for alternative fuels that no longer has anything to do with sustainability. Dubious cooking oil has no place in the tanks of planes”.

‍The Greens/EFA oppose the definition change on the grounds that expanding the eligibility criteria to include unsustainable feedstocks and food crops would exacerbate the deforestation and food security crises. Separately, the Greens/EFA are pushing for higher SAF targets similar to those proposed by the environment and transport committees, to ensure aviation is aligned to the Paris Climate Agreement. SAFs should make up a substantially higher share than 63% of the sector's fuel mix by 2050, if the EU is to achieve climate neutrality by that same deadline.