UK policy instruments for aviation decarbonisation: the sustainable aviation fuel mandate and policymaking approach underlying the future UK framework.

Maulet, Nicolas

Abstract

The UK's fuel decarbonisation toolbox is expanding to include more policy support for developing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). This support framework will grow out of the UK experience with the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation by including a sector-specific mandate. Westminster is also working on a future revenue certainty mechanism for SAF, that is yet to be legislated. In doing so, the UK government proposes to deliver a continued support to low-carbon fuel innovation. The government also intends to address the Climate Change Committee's persistent calls for a swifter decarbonisation across transport modes. This SAF policy should help speed up aviation decarbonisation by serving multiple purposes and targets, a policymaking approach typically associated with renewable energy support programmes. The SAF policy's consultations, government documentation, and expert opinions, help recognize several policy traits, coming out as critical design characteristics when structuring policy programmes supporting renewable energy sources. Such policy characteristics include providing certainty, clarity, continuity, and adaptability when structuring instruments and government interventions. Policy programmes should also prove capable of adapting to market and trade conditions. Instruments should equally factor in WTO rules and rulings on subsidies, renewable support schemes, sustainable fuels, or export markets, as and when applicable.

Citation

MAULET, N. 2024. UK policy instruments for aviation decarbonisation: the sustainable aviation fuel mandate and policymaking approach underlying the future UK framework. Global energy law and sustainability [online], 5(2), pages 182-197. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3366/gels.2024.0123

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 1, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Feb 1, 2025
• Publication Date: Aug 31, 2024
• Deposit Date: Feb 17, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 4, 2025
• Journal: Global energy law and sustainability
• Print ISSN: 2632-4512
• Electronic ISSN: 2632-4520
• Publisher: Edinburgh University Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 5
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 182-197
• Item Discussed: UK SAF policy; Mandate; Low carbon fuel policy; Aviation decarbonisation
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3366/gels.2024.0123
• Keywords: Decarbonisation; UK; Policymaking; Mandate; Contracts for difference; Transport; Aviation; Sustainable fuel
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/2702723