The European Union (EU) has announced a new $108 billion (about €100 billion) investment plan to speed up the production and use of cleaner fuels for aviation and shipping. The plan, called the Sustainable Transport Investment Plan or STIP, will run until 2035.
It is one of the largest efforts in Europe to cut emissions from two of the hardest sectors to decarbonize—aviation and maritime transport. The EU hopes the program will help meet its climate targets and strengthen Europe’s leadership in clean energy technology.
The plan aims to boost the economy. It will create jobs, attract private investors, and build new industries centered on sustainable fuels.
Why Planes and Ships Should Go Green
Airplanes and ships play a vital role in global trade and travel. However, they release a lot of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. The aviation sector alone is responsible for about 3% of global emissions, and that number is rising as air travel grows.
Unlike cars or trains, airplanes and large ships cannot easily switch to battery power. That is why sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) and synthetic e-fuels are key to cutting emissions in these sectors. These fuels can be made from renewable sources such as used cooking oil, waste, or captured carbon, and can often be used in existing engines.
However, cleaner fuels are still much more expensive to produce than traditional jet fuel. The new EU plan aims to close this price gap by providing investment support, policy certainty, and funding for research and infrastructure.
Key Goals of the $108B Investment Plan
The Sustainable Transport Investment Plan brings together funding, regulation, and private partnerships to scale up clean fuel production across Europe. Its main targets include:
- 20 million tonnes of sustainable fuels will be produced each year by 2035.
- Around 13 million tonnes of biofuels and 7 million tonnes of e-fuels.
- Deployment of clean fuel technology in both aviation and maritime transport.
- Greater energy independence and industrial competitiveness for Europe.
The EU expects to mobilize at least €2.9 billion by 2027 as a first step. Part of the money will come from existing EU programs such as InvestEU, the European Hydrogen Bank, the Innovation Fund, and Horizon Europe. These programs will help finance new fuel plants, research projects, and pilot facilities.
For example, more than €300 million will support hydrogen-based fuels for planes and ships. €150 million will support synthetic fuel projects. Additionally, €130 million will fund research on new clean fuel technologies.
The plan promotes partnerships among governments, energy companies, and airlines. This helps ensure that supply and demand increase together.
Building a Market for Sustainable Aviation Fuels
Today, sustainable aviation fuels make up less than 1% of Europe’s total jet fuel supply. The new investment plan aims to change that by building a large and stable market for cleaner fuels.
Under new EU rules, ReFuelEU Aviation and FuelEU Maritime, airlines and shipping companies must slowly boost their use of renewable fuels. The rules require at least 2% SAF by 2025, 6% by 2030, and 70% by 2050 for aviation.
To meet these targets, Europe needs dozens of new refineries and production plants. The investment plan offers developers more financial certainty. This should help attract private capital. Many companies have been hesitant to invest in SAF plants because of high costs and uncertain returns.
By combining regulation with financial incentives, the EU hopes to lower these risks and attract long-term investors.
The plan also promotes the creation of fuel offtake agreements, where airlines commit to buying a set amount of SAF each year. This helps producers secure financing, knowing there will be demand for their product once it is ready.
Experts expect global production of SAF to rise substantially by 2030. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) says that in a “high +” policy scenario, production might hit about 16.97 million tonnes by 2030. This would meet around 5% of the expected aviation fuel demand.
Other reports suggest figures such as 6.1 to 8.2 billion gallons (~23–31 million tonnes) by 2030 based on announced projects and capacity. Most analyses say that, despite this growth, the industry needs more support. This includes policy help, feedstock expansion, and better technology. These steps are crucial to meet even modest blend targets.
Economic and Environmental Impact
The EU estimates that scaling up SAF and e-fuels could create tens of thousands of new jobs across Europe. These jobs would come from building new plants, upgrading infrastructure, and managing supply chains for renewable fuels.
Economic benefits also include:
- More investment in rural areas where biofuel feedstocks are grown.
- Strengthened local industries producing renewable hydrogen and carbon-capture systems.
- Reduced dependence on imported oil and gas.
Sustainable aviation fuels can cut lifecycle carbon emissions by 70–90%. This reduction depends on how they are made, compared to fossil-based jet fuel. E-fuels made from green hydrogen and captured carbon can potentially be near-zero emission.
If Europe achieves its production targets, the total fuel savings could cut up to 200 million tonnes of CO₂ by 2035. That would be a major step toward meeting the EU’s 2050 climate neutrality goal.
What are the Challenges to Overcome?
While the EU plan is ambitious, experts warn that several obstacles remain, including:
- Feedstock supply: Europe needs to secure enough sustainable raw materials, like waste oils and residues. This must happen without harming food production or ecosystems.
- Cost gap: SAFs currently cost 2x to 5x times more than traditional jet fuel. Subsidies and long-term contracts will be needed to make them affordable for airlines.
- Infrastructure: Airports and ports will need to upgrade storage and refueling systems to handle new fuel types safely.
- Permitting and construction: Building new fuel plants can take years, and delays in approvals could slow progress.
- Global competition: The U.S. and Asia are also investing heavily in clean-fuel production. Europe must remain competitive while keeping its sustainability standards high.
Despite these challenges, many in the aviation industry see the plan as a turning point. Airlines, manufacturers, and energy companies are working together to pilot new fuel technologies and increase production capacity.
Next Steps for Cleaner Skies
Over the next two years, the EU will focus on building early projects and securing private investment. The first wave of large-scale SAF facilities could begin operations by 2027.
The European Commission will also monitor fuel availability, costs, and emissions reductions. Annual progress reports will help track whether Europe is on pace to meet its 2030 and 2035 milestones.
If successful, the plan could become a model for other regions looking to decarbonize aviation. Similar programs are under discussion in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan. As the world races toward net zero, the success of this plan could help define how fast aviation and shipping can truly go green.
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