Aviation biofuels - Takeoff

Demand for aviation fuels will continue to rise as growth in number of people flying increases. While the aviation industry accounts for only 2% of global emission, many airlines are exploring, partnering with appropriate players along the value chain to source biojet fuels that will give them green credentials. Several challenges inform the possible expansion of the aviation biofuels industry. These include policy drivers with sufficient incentives, in particular financial support, specific technical requirement and rigorous testing, feedstock production on marginal lands not competing with food crops and effective linkages in the production supply chain. This paper highlights and discusses these issues and describes initiatives in this sector by the two major airlines Lufthansa and Quantas amongst others.