SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel)

Greener aviation fuel with a lower carbon footprint than conventional fuel. It's produced from renewable sources rather than fossil fuels and can be used in existing aircraft engines without modification. Companies looking to reduce air travel emissions without cutting flights are increasingly paying a premium to support SAF use on their bookings.

SAF can be produced from a variety of feedstocks, including used cooking oil, agricultural and forestry residues and municipal waste, as well as synthetically from captured carbon and green hydrogen. It is blended with conventional jet fuel and certified for use in commercial aircraft. Depending on the feedstock and production process, SAF can reduce lifecycle CO2 emissions significantly compared with fossil jet fuel, although it still accounts for only a small share of global fuel use.

Regulation is increasing the use of SAF. In the EU, the ReFuelEU Aviation regulation requires a minimum share of SAF in fuel supplied at EU airports, starting at 2% in 2025 and rising steadily to 70% by 2050. Several airlines also offer corporate SAF programmes, allowing companies to pay for SAF use and claim the associated emissions reductions in their reporting. Because SAF is currently more expensive than conventional fuel, these programmes usually come at a premium.

For companies considering SAF, understanding their aviation footprint is the first step. Tumodo's Reports section provides carbon footprint analytics for any selected period, showing how much of the company's emissions come from air travel. Combined with travel policies — such as limits on connections, sensible cabin rules and rail alternatives across Europe — this helps companies decide where SAF investments and other reduction measures will have the greatest effect.