The transition to Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is at a critical juncture. SAF production has grown more than 1,150% since 2021; it is recognised as the most viable near-term solution to decarbonise the aviation industry, and its strategic importance is now embedded in policy frameworks and industry roadmaps worldwide.

Despite strong policy signals and rising demand, developers still struggle to take projects to Final Investment Decision (FID). High SAF prices, driven by novel technologies and costly feedstock, have made it difficult to secure creditworthy long-term offtake agreements. This is compounded by feedstock scarcity and supply chain complexity which further undermine bankability of projects.

Drawing on developments across the UK, EU, and US, and in anticipation of new revenue‑stability tools such as the UK's Revenue Certainty Mechanism (RCM) and the EU's Sustainable Transport Investment Plan (STIP), this whitepaper explores why momentum isn't translating into deployment.

This report further examines how effective risk allocation across the value chain can encourage greater investor confidence. From multi‑buyer agreements to book‑and‑claim systems and auction mechanisms like H2Global, the paper outlines different approaches that can overcome current bankability hurdles and unlock investment.

What you'll learn:

• Why mandates alone have not accelerated SAF deployment at the pace required to decarbonise the industry
• How the UK, EU and US have adopted different policy and market approaches to developing the SAF industry, and what practical lessons can be drawn from each region
• How a holistic approach to risk allocation addressing feedstock complexity, emerging technology and the need for long-term offtake, can help the SAF market take off