Headline from The Conversation debunking myths about green airport exapnsion
Headline from The Conversation debunking myths about green airport exapnsion

Let’s explain why sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) are NOT a panacea and why we need more significant changes to tackle the impact of aviation’s aviation on the climate.

SAFs rely on waste oils, biomass, or synthetic fuels. The problem is that there isn’t enough sustainable feedstock to replace fossil jet fuel at scale.

Expanding SAF production risks land-use conflicts, deforestation, and biodiversity loss.

SAFs cost 2-5x more than conventional jet fuel. The industry is pushing for considerable subsidies to cover the gap, but without breakthroughs, SAFs will remain a niche solution, not a complete replacement.

And guess who pays?  You.

Greenwashing Alert!  Not all SAFs are created equal. Some (like those derived from palm oil) produce significant emissions. Airlines love exaggerating the climate benefits of SAFs—often ignoring production emissions and dodgy feedstocks.

Producing SAFs—especially synthetic fuels—requires massive amounts of renewable electricity. Should we prioritise an energy-hungry, high-emission industry over decarbonising sectors like homes, transport, and industry? That and higher demand push up our energy prices.

Instead of hoping SAFs will save us, we need:

– High-speed rail investment
– Carbon pricing on frequent flying
– Ending aviation tax breaks

SAFs are not an excuse for endless growth, especially given the disproportionate benefits they accrue to the wealthiest.

The aviation industry pushes SAFs to delay fundamental policy changes like demand management and emissions caps. We can’t techno-fix our way out of this. We need to tackle overreliance on flying, not just switch fuels.

SAFs can help cut emissions, but they’re not a magic solution. Without demand reduction, better policies, and structural changes, SAFs risk becoming a greenwashing tool that delays climate action. Heathrow expansion should not hide behind such greenwashing.

SAFs are not as clean as the industry claims. Recent studies show they emit ultrafine particles and other pollutants harmful to human health, particularly those living near airports. They also still produce nitrogen oxides.

Heathrow’s expansion will impact millions of Londoners.

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