The French Presidency of the Council of the European Union sent a concept paper on a level playing field for a sustainable aviation sector (‘ReFuelEU Aviation’) (see EUROPE 12848/13) to the Member States on Wednesday 12 January. The text is part of the ‘Fit for 55’ package unveiled by the European Commission on 14 July 2021, which aims to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 (see EUROPE 12762/1).
In the paper, the French Presidency recalls that several points are the subject of divergence, in preparation for the meeting of the EU Council’s Aviation Group on Tuesday 18 January. For example, Member States will discuss the definition of Sustainable Alternative Fuels (SAF).
The latest version of the compromise text submitted by the previous Slovenian Presidency limits eligible SAF to biofuels that are not produced from food or feed crops, and to renewable synthetic fuels of non-biological origin.
However, several Member States have requested the inclusion of first-generation biofuels and recycled carbon fuels in this list. In addition, several Member States also advocate an approach based on technological neutrality.
Different approaches to incorporation thresholds
The question of incorporation thresholds will also be part of the discussions between national experts. In concrete terms, the Slovenian compromise foresees that the share of SAF in aircraft fuels will be 2% in 2025, 6% in 2030, 20% in 2035, 32% in 2040, 38% in 2045 and 63% in 2050.
Here too, the position of the Member States differs. There are some who doubt that the available SAF volumes will be reached and would like to postpone the first stage from 2025 to 2030. Others, however, would like to have the opportunity to set more ambitious mandates at national level.
Faced with the issues inherent in the production capacity of SAF, some Member States have also called for support at European level for the creation and development of the production chain. Otherwise, they argue, the transition could come at the cost of reduced competitiveness.
The French Presidency also indicates that the issue of banning - or limiting - ‘tankering’ - the practice of airlines carrying tonnes of excess fuel to avoid refuelling at certain airports - will also have to be discussed.
While all Member States recognised the need to apply these measures to extra-European flights, some questioned their relevance to intra-European flights, expressing concern about the difficulties that airlines might encounter at some airports, where refuelling might be more complex or costly.
Finally, the allocation of sanctions and income from fines for non-compliance will also need to be discussed. In this respect, some Member States are opposed to the principle of earmarking the revenue from fines. The draft regulation initially provides for the revenue from fines to be allocated to the InvestEU Fund.
See the concept paper (in French): https://bit.ly/34ClspJ (Original version in French by Thomas Mangin)