Over 100,000 expected to join France’s ‘Block Everything’ protest
More than 100,000 people are expected to take part in France’s “Block Everything” movement on 10 September, broadcaster France Info reported on ...
The International Air Transport Association on Wednesday stepped up criticism of the European Union's sustainable aviation fuel mandate as a costly initiative that is not helping the environment as regional supplies there remain low.
"The idea that you're buying sustainable fuel and then transporting it to use in Europe isn't the right way to do it, because you're clearly increasing the carbon footprint of that fuel as a result of the transportation costs," IATA's director-general Willie Walsh said at a media roundtable in Singapore.
IATA estimated in June that production of SAF, which is considered a low-carbon replacement for traditional jet fuel, is expected to reach 2 million metric tons, or 0.7% of airlines' fuel consumption, in 2025.
"Mandating the use of a product that isn't available doesn't lead to any environmental benefit," Walsh said, adding that fuel companies that have an obligation to produce SAF are also increasing the cost of traditional jet fuel.
By IATA's assessment, he said "the cost that they're charging is way in excess of the actual cost of the limited supplies of sustainable fuel."
"The EU in effect has facilitated monopoly suppliers to increase prices with no environmental benefit," said Walsh, adding that the region needs to re-evaluate its SAF targets.
Under the ReFuelEU Aviation requirement, airlines need to have a 6% SAF blend in their jet fuel usage by 2030. The EU is offering some subsidies for SAF purchases by airlines, Reuters reported in June.
On the supply front, at least five SAF projects in Asia, outside of China, have started up or are earmarked to start production this year, targeting exports regionally and to Europe. Singapore is among key exporters of the green fuel to the EU.
Walsh also questioned the use of palm oil as a means to produce sustainable fuel.
"I think that you could argue there is sustainable palm oil and there is palm oil that wouldn't be considered sustainable, and I think in some parts of the world there it's too black and white," Walsh said.
We need to have a much more "nuanced approach" to the usage of palm oil as a feedstock and "much more detailed assessment of the sustainability of the feedstock", he added.
AnewZ has learned that India has once again blocked Azerbaijan’s application for full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, while Pakistan’s recent decision to consider diplomatic relations with Armenia has been coordinated with Baku as part of Azerbaijan’s peace agenda.
A powerful eruption at Japan’s Shinmoedake volcano sent an ash plume more than 3,000 metres high on Sunday morning, prompting safety warnings from authorities.
A day of mourning has been declared in Portugal to pay respect to victims who lost their lives in the Lisbon Funicular crash which happened on Wednesday evening.
The UK is gearing up for Exercise Pegasus 2025, its largest pandemic readiness test since COVID-19. Running from September to November, this full-scale simulation will challenge the country's response to a fast-moving respiratory outbreak.
A Polish Air Force pilot was killed on Thursday when an F-16 fighter jet crashed during a training flight ahead of the 2025 Radom International Air Show.
Pakistan’s eastern towns of Chiniot and Hafizabad are at risk of devastating floods if an irrigation barrage on a major upstream river collapses after torrential rains pushed it beyond capacity, officials warned on Thursday.
Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Bahrain have signed an agreement with China to jointly develop a $220 million solar energy project.
A deadly landslide triggered by heavy rain struck a major Hindu pilgrimage route in Jammu, killing at least 30 people and disrupting communication across the region.
Wind farm developer Orsted's plan to raise much-needed capital is at risk following a U.S. order to halt construction of a near-complete project, and the Danish group's share price could come under pressure on Monday, analysts said.
Brazil’s government has ruled out subsidising hotel costs for delegates attending the COP30 climate summit in Belém this November, despite growing concerns over soaring accommodation prices.
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