Fuelling the transition: Building awareness about Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Reducing carbon emissions is one of the most important challenges facing the aviation industry today. As the broader industry works towards achieving net zero by 2050, and YVR remains on track to achieve net zero in our own operations by 2030, we are committed to supporting our partners in reaching their goal. While long-term solutions continue to evolve, Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is one of the best options currently available to reduce emissions from flying today and is already in use by airlines operating at YVR and globally.
We are working with the Province of British Columbia and the Canadian Council for Sustainable Aviation Fuels (C-SAF) to raise awareness about the role of SAF in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from aircraft. Our goals are to help travellers understand what SAF is and how it works, and to encourage broader adoption across the aviation sector, including with airlines operating out of YVR.
What is Sustainable Aviation Fuel?
SAF is a lower-carbon alternative to traditional fossil jet fuel. It is made from renewable and waste-derived material, such as municipal solid waste, waste fats and oils, and agricultural and forestry residue, and can reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80 per cent compared to fossil jet fuel.
SAF is a “drop-in” fuel. That means it can be safely blended with fossil jet fuel and used to power existing aircraft with existing airport infrastructure—no modifications required. In other words, airlines can easily pivot to using sustainable aviation fuel on their aircraft today. As a result, it’s a practical option that allows airlines to reduce their aircraft emissions right away.
Since 2024, the B.C. Low Carbon Jet Fuel Incentive Program has supported over 28.1 million litres of SAF used for flights in B.C., and interest in the program continues to grow. That’s an estimated savings of 61,000 tonnes of carbon, more than the annual emissions of about 12,000 homes in the province.
Helping reduce carbon emissions from aviation
YVR has been carbon neutral since 2020, and we’re on track to become net zero by 2030. While we don’t have direct control over the emissions generated at the airport that aren’t from our own operations, we’re committed to helping our partners achieve the aviation industry’s broader goal of net zero emissions by 2050.
Our partnership with the Province and C-SAF aims to raise public awareness and understanding of SAF through engagement and communications efforts that highlight its important role in decarbonizing aviation and supporting a more sustainable air travel system.
YVR is proud to be a leader when it comes to sustainability, helping to advance lower-carbon aviation and supporting practical solutions that can be used today to significantly reduce emissions from aviation.
How travellers can drive adoption of SAF
By raising awareness about the benefits of SAF, we can help drive investment and demand, accelerating its expansion and broader adoption across the aviation industry.
Every flight is a chance to make a difference.
Look for options to support SAF when booking your next flight with your airline.
To learn more about SAF, visit www.yvr.ca/SAF.