WTTC urges the Travel & Tourism sector to join forces to expand the use of sustainable fuels

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), in collaboration with global consultancy ICF, today launched a bold new framework that calls on the entire Travel & Tourism sector to unite to address one of its most significant challenges: increasing the production and use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and other renewable fuels.

The report, "Scaling Up Sustainable Fuel," presents a practical roadmap showing how every company in the sector—regardless of size or function—can contribute to reducing transportation-related emissions and accelerating the transition to cleaner fuels.

Julia Simpson, President and CEO of WTTC, said:

"Sustainable fuel is the most radical change for the Travel & Tourism sector, but supply is currently dangerously below demand. Without collective action, we risk facing rising costs, scarce availability, and stalled climate progress.

Every hotel, tour operator, travel agency, cruise line, and airline has a role to play. This framework offers them guidance. Sustainable fuel is not just an environmental necessity; it's a business priority, and governments must incentivize its production, not just set targets for the sector.

Today, SAF accounts for just 0.3% of global jet fuel consumption. To achieve net-zero emissions goals by 2050, production must increase more than 400-fold—from the current 1.25 billion liters to more than 450 billion liters—which would require the construction of up to 6,500 new renewable fuel plants worldwide. Sustainable Marine Fuel (SMF) faces similar challenges in terms of supply and infrastructure.

Unlike other decarbonization options, SAF is a plug-and-play solution that works with existing engines and aircraft. However, high production costs, limited infrastructure, and competition for raw materials have kept volumes low and prices high—up to 10 times higher than conventional fuel.

The new framework developed by WTTC and ICF offers clear, step-by-step actions for industry players to participate as Collaborators, Promoters, Adopters, or Investors. From joining campaigns and supplying waste, to financing production plants or acquiring sustainable fuel certificates, the report makes it clear: all companies can contribute.

Daniel Galpin, ICF CEO, said:
"Decarbonizing transport is a crucial step towards achieving a sustainable tourism sector. While the transport industry, especially aviation with its focus on SAFs, has recognized the importance of sustainable fuels and is boldly moving into a new era, there is still a long way to go. It is essential that the tourism ecosystem as a whole takes action and supports the set goals, in addition to implementing the necessary operational and strategic changes.

At ICF, we are proud to have worked closely with the WTTC to identify the roles tourism stakeholders can play and the actions they can take to facilitate the decarbonization of the sector, thus contributing to a more sustainable future.”

Real-life case studies show that concrete actions are already being taken. In Asia, The Erawan Group converts hotel waste oil into SAF, while Jet2 has invested in a SAF plant in the UK that uses recyclable household waste.

The report warns that if the industry doesn't act collectively, government mandates requiring a 5% to 10% SAF mix by 2030 could raise travel costs and reduce consumer choice.

With the Travel and Tourism sector projected to generate $16.5 trillion and support more than 460 million jobs by 2035, expanding the use of sustainable fuels is not just an environmental challenge: it's an economic necessity.

Source: WTTC.