biotech

Nordic nations back aviation biofuels

5th June 2019

Finland is the latest Nordic nation to step up its ambitions on using biofuels to tackle the emissions generated by the aviation industry. The new Government has set out its plans for Finland to go carbon neutral by 2035, including a target to have a 30% share of biofuels used in aviation.

Welcoming the step, Ilkka Räsänen, Director, Public Affairs at Neste, said: “This is a significant goal, enabling Finland to join the forerunners in reducing emissions in aviation. Air traffic is predicted to double during the next 15 years. The aviation industry has committed to carbon neutral growth starting from 2020 all while reducing net carbon emissions by 50% by 2050. Currently, renewable jet fuel offers the only viable alternative to fossil liquid fuels for powering aircrafts.”

Norway has already set a goal of 30% biofuels in aviation by 2030, while Sweden is on a journey to be fossil-free by 2045, with the incorporation of renewable fuels a key element of its plans.

“From Finland’s point of view it is great that our neighbouring countries have already considered concrete ways to reduce emissions in aviation. It is important to start discussions as soon as possible about how the target can be achieved, concretely in order for all parties to have sufficient time to prepare for changes,” added Räsänen.

These moves promise to have a major impact, as research from the likes of NASA, and the German Aerospace Center, has shown the environmental benefits of switching to biofuels.

Newsletter Signup