Our Objective - Accelerate Development and Commercialization of Sustainable Aviation Fuels

The Sustainable Aviation Fuel Users Group was formed in September 2008 with support and advice from the world?s leading environmental organizations such as the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Roundtable for Sustainable Biofuels (RSB). The group is focused on accelerating the development and commercialization of sustainable aviation fuels. Group members agree to contribute to the robust sustainability and certification regimes via the RSB global multi-stakeholder process.

All members subscribe to a sustainability pledge stipulating that any sustainable biofuel must perform as well as, or better than, kerosene-based fuel, but with a smaller carbon lifecycle. The user?s group pledges to consider only renewable fuel sources that minimize biodiversity impacts, fuels that require minimum land, water, and energy to produce, and that don?t compete with food or fresh water resources. In addition, cultivation and harvest of plant stock must provide socioeconomic value to local communities.

Sustainable Aviation Fuels are ones that meet the sustainability criteria and can be processed to yield a fuel that can be a drop in replacement for, or blended with, existing jet fuel. Sustainable fuels will utilize existing distribution, storage, and fueling systems. They will not require any changes to existing commercial jet eninges. Examples of possible sources for sustainable aviation fuel are: algae, camelina, halophytes, jatropha, and non-food cellulose.