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Last Updated on: 14th February 2025, 12:08 am
Call for Enhanced Development of Clean Fuels in Europe’s Shipping and Aviation Sectors
European shipowners (ECSA), Airlines for Europe (A4E), representing the shipping and aviation industries across the continent, along with the environmental organization Transport & Environment (T&E), have jointly issued a statement urging the European Commission and member states to increase the production of sustainable fuels for maritime and aviation purposes.
The Need for Significant Investment
ECSA, A4E, and T&E emphasize that achieving the ambitious goals set forth in the European Green Deal while maintaining competitiveness within these sectors will require substantial investments. The Draghi report estimates that an annual investment of approximately €100 billion is essential solely for transitioning Europe’s shipping and aviation industries towards greener alternatives.
A Push for Immediate Action
The three organizations advocate for urgent measures to ensure that prioritization is given to scalable renewable fuels within the forthcoming Clean Industrial Deal. They propose that at least 40% of necessary fuels be produced domestically under initiatives like FuelEU Maritime and ReFuelEU Aviation through a Sustainable Transport Investment Plan (STIP).
Supporting Infrastructure Development
To facilitate this transition, ECSA, A4E, and T&E support leveraging revenues from European national Emission Trading Schemes (ETS) as a means to mitigate financial risks associated with clean fuel projects. Furthermore, they back developing a platform designed to connect stakeholders aiming to access sustainable shipping and aviation fuels. Recommendations also include establishing ports and airports as key hubs for renewable fuel production.
Voices From Industry Leaders
“The findings in the Draghi report highlight that decarbonizing European shipping alone may require investments reaching €40 billion annually,” noted Sotiris Raptis, Secretary General of ECSA. “The conditions outlined in the Clean Industrial Deal must ensure accessibility to clean fueling options; hence we need substantial funding alongside stringent regulatory frameworks while simplifying access to both public funds and private investment.”
“Europe’s industrial strategy must promote hydrogen-based e-fuels development both in air transport as well as marine logistics,” commented William Todts, Executive Director at T&E. “With available funding resources coupled with technological expertise aimed at green initiatives already established within Europe—what remains critical is formulating effective financial tools necessary to propel manufacturing capabilities forward.”
“It’s imperative now more than ever that airlines alongside shipowners unite under one unobstructed message: immediate need exists for affordable renewable fuel solutions along innovative technologies enabling our successful decarbonization transition,” stated Ourania Georgoutsakou Managing Director from A4E.” Prompt action by EU authorities can unlock significant public/private financing minimizing barriers toward making such advances possible immediately—time is not on our side if we wish industry resilience plus competitive sustainability over coming years!”
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