- 2% of jet fuel must be sustainable as of 2025, and 70% by 2050
- Hydrogen and fuel produced from cooking oil or waste gases considered green
- No to feed and food crop-based fuels
- EU eco label for flights from 2025
Negotiators from the European Parliament and Council have agreed to increase the use of sustainable fuels, like advanced biofuels or hydrogen, in the aviation industry. This agreement called the RefuelEU Aviation rules, aims to reduce emissions and ensure that the EU becomes climate neutral by 2050. Under this deal, a minimum share of sustainable aviation fuels will be made available at EU airports.
MEPs were successful in securing an agreement that specifies the percentage of green aviation fuels to be used, starting from 2% in 2025 and increasing every five years until it reaches 70% in 2050. Synthetic fuels like e-kerosene will also be included in the fuel mix, with a specific proportion required by certain dates. Sustainable aviation fuels will be made from agricultural or forestry residues, algae, bio-waste, used cooking oil or certain animal fats, and recycled jet fuels produced from waste gases and waste plastic. The use of feed and food crop-based fuels and fuels derived from palm and soy materials will not be considered green, as they do not align with sustainability criteria. Renewable hydrogen will also be included in the sustainable fuel mix.
Additionally, MEPs have ensured that an EU label for the environmental performance of flights will be introduced in 2025, which will allow passengers to compare the environmental performance of flights operated by different airlines on the same route. Finally, MEPs have convinced EU member states to direct all revenues from non-compliance fines from airlines, airports, or fuel suppliers to research and innovation into bridging the price difference between sustainable and conventional fuels.