On Wednesday 14 July, the European Commission will present the proposal for a ‘ReFuel EU’ regulation to force the EU aviation sector to gradually use sustainable fuels by 2050 (see EUROPE 12676/44).
In the document, a copy of which was obtained by EUROPE, the Commission intends to propose a number of obligations for aircraft operators, airports, and fuel suppliers.
These should, through quantified targets, ensure that a minimum share of sustainable aviation fuel—as well as a share of synthetic fuel—is available to aircraft operators.
In 2030, the share of sustainable fuel should be set at 5%, with a sub-target of 0.7% for synthetic fuels. In 2035, the share of sustainable fuel would rise to 25% (5% for synthetic fuel), then to 32% in 2040, before peaking at 63% in 2050. The share of synthetic fuel would then be 28%.
Energy suppliers who fail to comply with these obligations will be subject to penalties.
The use of these fuels “would concern all aircraft passing through a European airport and refuelling there”, a source close to the matter told EUROPE on Monday 12 July.
For their part, airports will have to take measures to facilitate aircraft operators’ access to sustainable fuels and provide the necessary infrastructure for delivery and storage.
Aircraft operators will be able to report difficulties in accessing cleaner fuels to the EU Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The Commission will then be able to hold the airports in question to account.
Airports will have 5 years to remedy any infrastructure problems that are identified.
Limiting ‘fuel tankering’
Airlines will also have to report on the volume of fuel purchased—indicating the airport where refuelling takes place—to avoid ‘fuel tankering’. This practice consists of transporting tonnes of surplus fuel to avoid refuelling at European airports, where legislation may be stricter than in some third countries.
While not illegal, fuel tankering could lead to sanctions in case of abuse. Maximum thresholds—the figure of around ten percentage points is put forward—should be set.
EASA will have to publish an annual technical report based on reports provided by aircraft operators and other fuel suppliers.
Member States will not escape certain obligations either. National authorities will be designated to enforce the new regulation and to impose fines on operators who fail to comply with the rules. The designation and procedures initiated by these entities will have to be notified to the Commission.
A review at least every 5 years
The Commission, for its part, will have to take stock of the application of the future regulation at least every 5 years and report to the European Parliament and the Council of the EU.
The legislation is part of the ‘Fit For 55’ package, which aims to reduce the EU’s net greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 and which the Commission will unveil on Wednesday 14 July (see other news and EUROPE 12759/2).
See the Commission’s proposal for a regulation: https://bit.ly/3yMN3ym (Original version in French by Thomas Mangin)