20th March, 2026
Just one year into the operation of the UK’s SAF mandate, the government appears to have opened a door to the possible inclusion of crops as eligible feedstocks for alternative fuels. Although crop-based fuels have so far been excluded from the mandate due to real concerns about their true environmental impact, a recently concluded call for evidence asked whether crop-based feedstocks could be considered “sustainable”. It also asked what impact including them in the SAF mandate might have on the price of alternative fuels, and the plans of second generation fuel producers who are hoping to take advantage of a government support scheme to promote fuels made from waste.
AEF believes that the blanket rule which excludes crops from the SAF mandate, and the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation (RTFO) that underpins it, should be upheld. There is clear proof from other sectors that competition for land to produce energy crops causes indirect land use change (ILUC), and can cause higher food prices and biodiversity loss. There is also mounting evidence that potential investors may shy away from backing new technologies if government policy is not consistent.
You can read our full response here: