The Sustainable Markets Initiative, a UK-based initiative launched by King Charles III in 2020 when he was still the Prince of Wales, has appointed Paul Griffiths, the chief executive of Dubai Airports, as the CEO Champion of its Sustainable Aviation Fuel Pathfinder Initiative, the organization announced on Thursday.
The project seeks to increase the speed of the creation and implementation of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), which is generally regarded as the most promising near-term solution on the way to reducing aviation emissions.
SAF will cut by up to 80 percent of flight emissions, yet it makes up less than 1 percent of the total jet fuel supply in the world.
The SAF Pathfinder Initiative is based on the mobilization of investment and demand signals in order to unlock production, promote harmonized global policies and incentives, essential updates of critical infrastructure, and stimulate cross-chain collaboration of the whole aviation supply chain to overcome production and cost impediments.
However, Griffiths is appointed at a time when the aviation industry is under pressure to achieve its long-term climate goals, including a sector-wide target of net zero emissions by 2050. Paul Griffiths said that ‘SAF is one of the most important levers … to decarbonise flight.’
In a statement, Griffiths added that “I’m honoured to take on this role at such a critical time for our industry. Sustainable aviation fuel is one of the most important levers we have to decarbonise flight, and I’m committed to accelerating its availability and adoption across the sector.”
Griffiths indicated that the work would be in line with the oneDXB Sustainability Alliance, a multi-stakeholder effort by Dubai Airports, which seeks to foster decarbonization, innovation, and resiliency throughout Dubai International Airport and Dubai World Central, Al Maktoum International.
Dubai Airports managed to attain Level 4 “Transformation” accreditation from Airports Council International, under Griffith’s leadership, landing the airport in the top 5 percent of airports in the world.
The accreditation represents such steps as the cooperation with partners, the usage of ground fleets powered by biodiesel, and the implementation of green infrastructure projects at the Dubai International Airport.
Chief executive of the Sustainable Markets Initiative, Jennifer Jordan-Saifi, opined that SAF could play a central role beyond aviation. She stated, “We view Sustainable Aviation Fuel as a powerful catalyst, not only for decarbonising aviation, but also for driving the global expansion of sustainable technologies and investment.”
