World Travel and Tourism Council and ICF unveil a powerful framework to scale Sustainable Aviation Fuel production and drive the tourism industry toward a sustainable future.

The travel and tourism sector is facing a critical challenge: dramatically reducing carbon emissions from transport. To meet this goal, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and global consultancy ICF have jointly launched an innovative framework aimed at accelerating the adoption and production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and other renewable fuels throughout the tourism industry.

The newly published report, Scaling Up Sustainable Fuel, offers a clear and actionable strategy that empowers all tourism businesses—from airlines and cruise operators to hotels and travel agencies—to actively contribute toward cleaner fuel use and lower emissions.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel as the Key to Decarbonizing Travel

Sustainable Aviation Fuel is rapidly gaining recognition as the most impactful solution for cutting transport emissions in the travel sector. Despite this, current SAF production meets only a fraction of the growing demand. Without swift and coordinated efforts, the industry risks soaring fuel prices, limited fuel availability, and setbacks in climate goals.

Presently, SAF accounts for just 0.3% of the global aviation fuel supply. Achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 will require a monumental increase in SAF output—more than 400 times the current volume. This translates into scaling production from roughly 1.25 billion litres today to over 450 billion litres annually. Meeting this demand necessitates the construction of thousands of new renewable fuel production facilities worldwide. Similar supply and infrastructure challenges exist for Sustainable Marine Fuel (SMF), which is critical for decarbonizing shipping and cruise operations.

SAF’s major advantage lies in its compatibility with existing aircraft and engines, making it a direct replacement for conventional jet fuel without requiring modifications. However, high production costs, limited refueling infrastructure, and competition for raw materials continue to restrict SAF’s market penetration, with prices sometimes ten times higher than traditional fuels.

Empowering Every Business to Take Meaningful Action

The WTTC and ICF framework outlines four distinct roles for tourism businesses—Collaborators, Promoters, Adopters, and Investors—encouraging participation at every level. Smaller businesses can contribute by supporting sustainability campaigns or providing waste feedstocks, while larger companies can invest in production facilities or commit to purchasing sustainable fuel credits.

The transition to sustainable fuels requires the entire tourism ecosystem to engage and implement changes, both operational and strategic. Airlines have been leaders in SAF adoption, but hotels, cruise lines, and travel agencies also play essential roles in supporting and accelerating this shift.

Examples of Industry Progress

Several organizations are already pioneering SAF initiatives. For example, in Asia, a hospitality group converts cooking oil waste from its hotels into SAF feedstock, creating a circular sustainability model. Meanwhile, a European airline has invested in a SAF plant that uses recyclable household waste, showcasing innovative ways to produce sustainable fuels while managing waste streams effectively.

Economic Imperatives and Risks of Inaction

The report cautions that without coordinated industry efforts, mandatory SAF blending targets set by governments—ranging from five to ten percent by 2030—could lead to increased travel costs and reduced consumer choice. This could dampen demand and hinder the sector’s growth potential.

With the travel and tourism industry projected to contribute $16.5 trillion to the global economy and support over 460 million jobs by 2035, expanding SAF production is not only critical for environmental reasons but is also vital to safeguarding economic prosperity worldwide.

A Strategic Blueprint for the Future

This collaboration provides a comprehensive blueprint that aligns governments, fuel producers, and tourism stakeholders toward a shared sustainability vision. It calls for enhanced government incentives, expanded infrastructure investments, and innovative partnerships that leverage the collective strengths of all players in the travel ecosystem.

Government action is crucial—beyond setting emissions targets, policies must support SAF production and reduce market barriers to enable widespread adoption.

Conclusion

The future of travel depends on a swift and united response to scale sustainable aviation and marine fuels. The WTTC and ICF’s strategic framework delivers a practical, inclusive roadmap that allows every segment of the tourism industry to contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable future.

By embracing sustainable fuels today, the travel industry can reduce its environmental impact, stabilize fuel costs, and secure long-term growth and resilience in an increasingly climate-conscious world.

The post World Travel and Tourism Council and ICF Unveil Revolutionary Framework to Mobilize the Entire Tourism Industry to Dramatically Scale Sustainable Aviation Fuel Production and Secure an Unstoppable Climate-Resilient Future appeared first on Travel And Tour World.