On August 21, Ireland’s Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien, officially launched the country’s first Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Policy Roadmap, delivering on a key commitment in the government program. This roadmap is seen as an important milestone in driving Ireland’s aviation sector toward a greener transition.

Aviation remains one of the most challenging sectors to decarbonize, and the development and deployment of SAF is considered a critical tool in reducing emissions. To support the roadmap’s preparation, the Department of Transport established a SAF Taskforce in December 2023, bringing together government, industry, and other stakeholders to shape the policy framework and its implementation.

The roadmap highlights the strategic role of SAF in Ireland while identifying current opportunities and barriers, such as the feasibility of importing supply, the potential for future domestic production, and alignment with both national and EU policies. It sets out four policy pathways: market certainty, collaboration, supporting uptake, and supporting production. Each pathway outlines initial actions that will evolve alongside EU-level initiatives.

According to O’Brien, the roadmap provides a solid foundation for SAF deployment, ensuring Ireland’s aviation industry can balance sustainability with competitiveness.

Industry Implications

• Airlines may face higher costs but will enhance their green competitiveness.

• Fuel suppliers could benefit from near-term imports and future domestic production.

• Investors should view this as a clear signal of Ireland’s energy transition, creating potential new opportunities.