The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) welcomes the Federal Government’s announcement of an AU$1.1 billion investment to accelerate Australia’s cleaner fuel production.
Related initiatives will include the development of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
The new ten-year Cleaner Fuels Programme is designed to stimulate private investment in Australian onshore production of low carbon liquid fuels such as SAF and builds on the Government’s existing support through initiatives like the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Funding Initiative.
ATIA director for public policy and advocacy Ingrid Fraser commented: “This is a welcome investment that acknowledges the critical role sustainable aviation fuel must play in decarbonising Australia’s travel and aviation sectors. As demand for travel grows, it is essential that we invest in future fuels that allow us to meet that demand while staying on track to achieve our net-zero commitments.”
Fraser added that, for an island nation so reliant on long-haul aviation, the ability to scale sustainable fuel production onshore is vital.
By that, she meant not only for the reduction of harmful emissions but also for boosting Australia’s global competitiveness and connectivity.
Necessary for progress
Sustainable fuels are vital to enable growing demand to be met while meeting national emissions reduction targets.
Sustainable aviation fuel, in particular, is widely recognised as the most significant lever to reduce aviation emissions both now and in the long term.
For Australia where long-haul flights are essential given its geography and dispersed population, SAF is critical to ensuring the industry can decarbonise while continuing to connect Australians to the world.
That said, ATIA has consistently joined with industry peers to highlight the importance of action on SAF to safeguard the future of Australian travel and tourism.
