Come 2027, global airlines must meet a crucial target set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). They will be required to offset their net CO₂ emissions from international flights under ICAO’s Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA). One of the ways airlines could do this is transition from fossil fuels to a low-carbon alternative known as Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). With the potential to cut CO2 emissions by up-to 80% throughout its life cycle compared to conventional jet fuel, SAF is emerging as the most direct and credible solution to achieve these objectives, either alongside or in place of traditional carbon offsets.  

What makes this transition particularly interesting is the role of the waste management sector: by converting organic waste into SAF, the industry is set to contribute to decarbonization of aviation.  Here’s a look at how the UAE’s waste sector is preparing to lead this transformation.  

Airlines that are members of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) have committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions from their operations by 2050.   

Against this backdrop, the United Arab Emirates is positioning itself as a regional leader in SAF development—leveraging its aviation hub status, strong waste-to-value ecosystem, and national net-zero ambitions to build a domestic SAF supply chain.  

In 2022, the UAE Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure, together with the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), launched the UAE National SAF Roadmap, setting a target of 700 million litres of domestic SAF production per year by 2030. It also aims to reach a voluntary target of 1% SAF (locally produced) in fuel supplied to national airlines at UAE airports by 2031. In October 2025, the UAE submitted the third edition of its State Action Plan on Aviation Emissions to ICAO. The updated plan adopts a comprehensive “basket of measures” to reduce aviation emissions, including 42 projects in operations and technology, and 13 projects related to SAF and low-carbon fuels. 

In November 2025, it was announced that MENA Biofuels, part of the Mercantile & Maritime Group, has commenced implementation of the UAE’s first SAF production facility in the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone. The facility will convert used cooking oil and waste-based feedstocks into certified sustainable aviation fuel meeting international standards.  

Dubai Municipality, Tadweer Group, and Lootah Biofuels have also launched initiatives in the SAF space, reflecting a growing nationwide effort to develop domestic production capacity and position the UAE as a regional leader in sustainable aviation fuels. 

Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), made from renewable sources or feedstocks, such as used cooking oils, fats, plant oils, municipal, agricultural and forestry waste, must also meet a set of stringent sustainability requirements including regulations set by ICAO’s CORSIA scheme and the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED). These requirements include food security, water management and human rights considerations. 

As a “drop-in” fuel compatible with existing aircraft and refueling infrastructure, SAF can cut lifecycle emissions by up to 80% depending on the production pathway.   

While future low-carbon technologies will take years to mature, SAF can begin cutting aviation’s carbon footprint today. SAF still has to be blended with traditional aviation fuel, which is made from fossil fuels. Current rules state that SAF can make up a maximum of 50% of the mixture, but there are hopes that airlines will be able to use 100% SAF by 2030.  

According to Dr. Udayan Banerjee, Founder, Sustainable Advisory LLC, “SAF has been under development for more than a decade, but regulatory momentum caused by ICAO has accelerated its adoption.”  

CORSIA aims to stabilize net CO₂ emissions from international aviation at 2020 levels and achieve carbon-neutral growth in the short to medium term. The scheme is currently in its first voluntary phase (2024–2026), before transitioning to mandatory participation from 2027 to 2035 for countries accounting for over 90% of global international aviation activity, he explains. However, these are exempted for Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Small Island Developing States (SIDS), and Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) unless they volunteer.  

The UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oman are among the gulf countries participating in CORSIA since 2025.  

Waste-derived SAF  

The UAE’s focus on waste-derived SAF is closely tied to both aviation demand and national sustainability policy. Speaking of the UAE National SAF Roadmap, Banerjee says the ambition is driven by multiple factors. “UAE carriers such as Emirates and Etihad will increasingly be required to use SAF on routes to Europe and North America, where blending mandates are tightening. Local production would reduce exposure to imported SAF costs while enhancing energy security.” 

Globally, the scale of the challenge is immense. The IATA estimates that achieving just a 5.2% SAF blending rate would require around 23 billion litres per year, while ICAO data already records 54.4 billion litres under offtake agreements worldwide. Against this backdrop, the UAE’s target is both ambitious and strategically timed.  

According to Banerjee, using waste as a feedstock will not only support the aviation sector to achieve decarbonization, but will also help the waste sector to achieve decarbonization by diverting waste away from the landfills.  

Currently, waste oils, including used cooking oil (UCO) and non-edible oils, are the most widely used feedstocks for commercial SAF production. Even industrial waste streams rich in carbon emissions have proven viable for creating low-carbon aviation fuel. Beyond oils, municipal solid waste (MSW) is emerging as a promising source. Demonstration projects around the world have shown the feasibility of this approach.  

Stressing the importance of improved waste segregation, he highlights, “International bodies such as the ICAO and the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) require demonstrable carbon emission reductions through comprehensive life cycle analysis. Feedstocks with more than 90% biogenic content receive higher sustainability ratings. This means that segregating MSW at the source or using pure agricultural residues, free from plastics or other contaminants, can dramatically improve the quality and rating of SAF feedstock.”  

In essence, the journey from waste to jet fuel is not just about technology; it’s also about proper collection, sorting, and preparation of feedstock.  

From Waste to Value 

For the waste sector, SAF represents the latest evolution in value recovery. Dr.Sivapalan Kathiravale, Research & Development Head, Strategy & Business Performance, Tadweer Group, notes how the industry has progressed from simple incineration to RDF, gasification, pyrolysis, and now aviation-grade fuels.  

“This transition is particularly significant for the waste sector. For Tadweer Group, the rise of SAF presents a valuable opportunity to address the challenge of managing the nearly 10 million tonnes of waste generated annually in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.” A wide range of waste streams is now being evaluated for conversion into SAF, reflecting the sector’s shift toward higher-value and lower-carbon outcomes, he adds.  

Liquid waste represents the most mature and commercially proven pathway to SAF production. Feedstocks such as used cooking oil and greases require minimal preprocessing and are already used in operating plants worldwide. However, these waste streams are available in limited volumes and face competition from other industries, including soap and candle manufacturing. Solid waste pathways, including plantation waste and municipal green waste, offer larger volumes but pose greater technical challenges. These materials must first be converted into gaseous or liquid intermediates before being upgraded to SAF, requiring extensive preprocessing to remove contaminants. As a result, gasification or pyrolysis facilities need to be located close to the final SAF plant, increasing overall costs. Gaseous intermediary products derived from combustion also offer a viable but still emerging route, often dependent on hydrogen and currently at pilot or pre-commercial scale. 

Tadweer Group and Masdar are working towards developing a SAF plant in Abu Dhabi by 2031. The project will rely on approximately 500,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste and agricultural waste annually, supplied by Tadweer Group. To ensure feedstock quality, preprocessing will be carried out at new Material Recovery Facilities currently under development in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, scheduled to be operational by 2027. “Through these initiatives, Tadweer is moving beyond conventional waste management, applying advanced technologies to reduce climate impact and support a more sustainable future.”  

Dubai’s pioneering MSW-to-SAF Initiative 

In early 2024, Dubai Municipality signed an MoU with a developer consortium including BESIX and ENOC to develop a facility processing 2,000 tonnes of MSW per day.    

“The initiative aligns directly with Dubai’s Net Zero 2050 strategy,” says Eng. Mohammed Ahmed Alrayees, Director of the Waste Strategy and Projects Department at Dubai Municipality. He adds that such projects also reflect the wider climate imperative facing the country and the world: “The urgency of climate change highlights the need for the UAE to develop and implement a unified national policy framework that recognises both the complexities of the aviation energy transition and the country’s unique opportunities and national context. Aviation is one of the UAE’s most successful industrial sectors and a cornerstone of Dubai’s economy.”  

The SAF generated by Dubai’s WtSAF project is expected to supply Dubai Airport, Emirates Airlines, and other local carriers with fuel that complies fully with ReFuelEU and CORSIA regulations. “To meet these standards, SAF will be produced using the most sustainable and environmentally friendly methods, including electricity from the Dubai Municipality’s Waste-to-Energy plant, water from the sewage treatment facility, and solar energy.” This will lead to a significant reduction in carbon emissions, supporting the Net Zero 2025 diversion targets. 
 
The initiative, he explains, aims to contribute to building domestic SAF production capacity of up to 700 million litres annually, a target set by UAE National SAF Roadmap. The project is aligned with the UAE SAF policies such as accelerating the deployment of world-first technologies and innovation within the project; supporting the development of a national regulatory framework for SAF; building local capacity to enhance in-country value with a targeted production of 280 tonnes per day, and leading international collaboration on SAF production from MSW, he adds.   
 
One of the most significant challenges Dubai faces is the sustainable management of MSW, says Al Rayees, adding, “Currently, around 35% of MSW is sent to landfill, an option that is both environmentally polluting and economically unproductive. In response, Dubai Municipality has set a long-term strategy to divert all waste from landfills by 2041, with the goal of achieving zero landfill disposal.” 
 
“Within this framework, the Dubai WtSAF facility is envisioned as a pioneering project for the region and the first of its kind globally. The project offers a dual benefit: recycling waste while extracting maximum value through its conversion into SAF. Currently, MSW, the largest non-inert waste stream sent to landfill, is the primary feedstock under consideration, with 40% of MSW allocated as the main feedstock. In parallel, the Municipality is in discussions with technology providers to assess the feasibility of incorporating additional waste streams, including green waste and sewage sludge.   
 
Dubai Municipality is actively engaging stakeholders across the ecosystem to build momentum and incorporate feedback from multiple perspectives. These engagements include the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, the Dubai Department of Finance, Emirates Airline, Dubai Airports, ENOC, the Dubai Environment and Climate Change Authority, as well as technology providers and project investors, he notes.   

The role of private players 

Private sector participation is critical to scaling SAF. Lootah Biofuels sees SAF as a natural extension of its waste-to-fuel legacy. “Aviation is one of the hardest sectors to decarbonize, and SAF is currently the most scalable pathway under CORSIA,” says Yousif Saeed Lootah, CEO of Lootah Biofuels.  

Lootah Biofuels currently supplies SAF produced via the HEFA pathway, meeting ASTM D7566 standards and fully compatible with existing aircraft infrastructure once blended with Jet A-1.  

Speaking of challenges, Lootah states: The main technical challenges are not related to core process maturity, as HEFA technology is well proven globally. Instead, the key issues lie in feedstock pre-treatment, hydrogen availability and cost, integration with existing utilities, and overall capital intensity. 

“In the UAE context, ensuring consistent access to sustainable waste feedstocks at scale and optimizing hydrogen sourcing are critical to project viability. These factors must be addressed alongside careful plant design to ensure long term competitiveness,” he adds.  

Logistically, scaling SAF requires coordination across producers, blenders, fuel storage operators, and airports. Today, most SAF used in the UAE is imported or blended at a small scale. “Building domestic production, blending, and certification infrastructure will be essential to unlock cost efficiencies and long-term competitiveness,” he adds.   

Developing local blending, storage, and certification infrastructure will be essential to support wider SAF adoption and future domestic production. 

Financing and the road ahead 

Despite technological progress, financing remains the biggest bottleneck, points out Banerjee. “SAF projects require significantly higher capital expenditure than conventional waste-to-energy plants, and traditional debt financing models often fall short. Long-term offtake agreements, policy support, and blended finance structures will be critical to unlock investment.”  

Inside the Technology

Multiple SAF production pathways have been certified by ICAO. The most commercially mature is the HEFA (Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids) route, which uses used cooking oil (UCO) and animal fats. However, the UAE’s long-term opportunity lies in scaling SAF from solid waste and biomass. 

For municipal solid waste (MSW) and agricultural residues, the process is more complex. Feedstock must first be prepared and segregated, then gasified to produce synthesis gas (syngas). After cleaning, the syngas is converted into liquid fuels using Fischer–Tropsch (FT) or Alcohol-to-Jet (AtJ) processes. 

Emerging technologies such as Power-to-Liquid (PtL) further expand the pathway mix by combining green hydrogen with captured carbon dioxide to produce syngas, which is then upgraded into SAF. 

“These pathways allow flexibility across feedstocks,” Banerjee notes, “but they require careful integration and significant capital investment.”