SAFAANZ response to Jet Zero Council and ARENA $30 Million announcement

The formation of the Jet Zero Council heralds a new chapter in the pursuit of a domestic renewable fuels sector in Australia, uniting government and industry to shepherd the vital task of decarbonising aviation and transportation.

The Sustainable Aviation Fuel Alliance of Australia and New Zealand (SAFAANZ) welcomes the announcement and membership of the council and commits to working closely with all stakeholders to progress domestic Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and ensure Australia seizes this unique opportunity to be at the forefront of renewable fuels globally.

SAFAANZ, launched by Bioenergy Australia, also welcomes the official opening of ARENA’s $30 million grant funding initiative to support the development of an advanced biofuels sector - getting vital funding to the projects that will change the game.
Australia is better placed than most nations to be a powerhouse in renewable fuels, given our agricultural might, access to valuable feedstocks and our refining ingenuity.

But there is no doubt, we are starting from behind. 

We have ground to make up. And with this dual announcement, we can.

Australia’s own newly-formed Jet Zero Council is a crucial step to realising those ambitions.

“Australia has the opportunity to play a leading role in the deployment of sustainable aviation fuels for the region. We are delighted the Federal Government has announced the formation of the Jet Zero Council, an initiative called for by the SAFAANZ only 12 months ago,’’ Bioenergy Australia CEO Shahana McKenzie said.

“This government is moving quickly to ensure that Australia isn’t left behind in the global acceleration of renewable fuels. The development of a SAF industry could contribute an additional 8000 jobs and $3billion in additional GDP per annum, not to mention the fuel security and regional development opportunities.

“We are absolutely delighted to be founding members of the Jet Zero Council. This council brings key players to the table for frank and fearless discussion and will be the impetus to the fast-tracking of investment and development of SAF, and removing the key obstacles that are a handbrake on the creation of a domestic industry.

Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King today announced that the SAFAANZ will be members on the new Jet Zero Council.

“Today we are formalising the membership of that [Jet Zero] Council so that we can begin not only building a sustainable aviation fuel industry here in Australia but also looking to help across the whole of the aviation sector in Australia so we can actually look at reducing emissions,” Minister King said.

“We know Australians love to fly. Aviation has come roaring back, but we have our part to play very much in getting to net zero and getting to that important target we have now legislated.”

The announcement from Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen demonstrated the government’s commitment to the development of a SAF industry in Australia with the Australian Renewable Energy Agency to invest $30 million to support development of domestic SAF production from agricultural feedstocks.

 “Australians love flying. But Australians also want to see their country move to net zero. And what we need to do, therefore, is work with the aviation sector on practical and real solutions to see emissions from aviation come down,” Minister Bowen said.

“It’s happening around the world but we don’t have a sustainable aviation fuel industry in Australia at the moment, and we should have one. Other countries, most notably the United States, you can get early stages of sustainable aviation fuel. We want to see Australia at the front of the pack.”

“This in conjunction with the Qantas and Airbus $200M SAF Fund will pave the path for SAF projects coming to realisation in Australia,” Ms McKenzie said.

Bioenergy Australia believes the opportunity of renewable fuels is too great to simply cede advantage to other nations, and leave Australia at the mercy of global markets, prices, and availability.

“We have the feedstock, we have the infrastructure, we have the expertise and we have the support of government. Let’s get it done,” Ms McKenzie said. 

The SAFAANZ has been the leading advocate for the creation of the Jet Zero Council, having watched the success of similar bodies in Europe and the UK in achieving development, investment and scale.

It will be a vital connection point between policy makers at a State and Federal level, and key airlines, manufacturers, airports, refiners and trade groups.

And with a simple goal in a complex space: Determine the best policy framework required to accelerate decarbonisation of aviation, encourage investment, and guide research and development pathways.

There is no question that the development of Sustainable Aviation Fuel in Australia is gaining momentum.

-ENDS-

Read the Jet Zero Council government media release here

Read the ARENA $30 Million funding annoucnement here

The Sustainable Aviation Fuel Alliance Australia and New Zealand (SAFAANZ) was founded by Bioenergy Australia to fast-track the development, uptake and progression of SAF in the region. The SAFAANZ is a collaboration of more than 60 organisations across Australia, Asia, Europe and the USA. More information on SAF is available here and in Bioenergy Australia’s recent Bridging the Price Gap for Sustainable Aviation Fuel report.