UAE And EU Collaborate To Advance Sustainable Aviation Fuels For Net-Zero Emissions

The European Union and the United Arab Emirates recently hosted a significant session on Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) during the Dubai Airshow 2025 Sustainability Programme. This event underscored the increasing global collaboration aimed at reducing carbon emissions in aviation. The session was organised by the EU Delegation to the UAE, in partnership with the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI) and supported by the EU-GCC Cooperation on Green Transition Project.

The discussions centred around aligning strategies to boost SAF usage, a vital step towards achieving net-zero emissions in aviation. The dialogue highlighted how the EU's RefuelEU Aviation Regulation, which requires a minimum 2 percent SAF blend by 2025, complements the UAE's Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative. This initiative prioritises clean fuels within a diverse energy mix, aligning with ICAO's vision to cut CO2 emissions in international aviation by 5% by 2030 using SAF.

Lucie Berger, Ambassador of the European Union to the United Arab Emirates, expressed optimism about this collaboration. "The European Union and the UAE share a common ambition to lead global efforts in sustainable aviation. By working together, we can unlock innovation, scale up clean fuel production, and create the partnerships needed to achieve climate neutrality." Her statement reflects a shared commitment to advancing sustainable aviation globally.

Saif Ghubash, Assistant Under-Secretary for Petroleum, Gas, and Mineral Resources at MoEI, emphasised the importance of these fuels for national goals. "Sustainable aviation fuels are essential to achieving our national net-zero goals. Through collaboration with the EU, we aim to accelerate local production, strengthen supply chains, and advance policies that support a greener aviation future." His remarks highlight the UAE's dedication to fostering a sustainable future through international cooperation.

This session is part of broader efforts under the EU-GCC Cooperation on Green Transition Project. This initiative promotes partnerships across energy, environment, and sustainable finance sectors in the Gulf region. These collaborations contribute significantly to shared net-zero ambitions and bolster global energy transition resilience.

The event brought together senior policymakers and industry experts from various regions. They exchanged insights on scaling up sustainable fuel production and enabling policy frameworks. Strengthening cross-regional partnerships was also a key focus area during these discussions.

The joint efforts between the EU and UAE aim to accelerate local SAF production while enhancing supply chains. These initiatives are crucial for supporting policies that pave the way for a greener aviation future. Such collaborations are vital for achieving climate neutrality through innovative solutions.

With inputs from WAM