Decarbonizing Aviation Through Sustainable Fuel Solution

The aviation sector is responsible for a growing share of global greenhouse gas emissions and faces significant challenges in achieving carbon neutrality due to its reliance on energy-dense liquid fuels. As global air travel demand continues to increase, decarbonizing aviation has become a critical priority for achieving international climate targets. Sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs), including bio-based fuels, synthetic e-fuels, and hydrogen-derived fuels, are emerging as promising alternatives to conventional fossil-based jet fuels. These fuels can significantly reduce lifecycle carbon emissions while remaining compatible with existing aircraft and airport infrastructure. Recent advances in feedstock development, fuel conversion technologies, carbon capture integration, and renewable energy systems have accelerated SAF research and commercialization. However, challenges related to production scalability, economic feasibility, policy frameworks, sustainability assessment, and supply-chain integration remain. This Research Topic aims to explore innovative technologies, strategies, and interdisciplinary approaches to support the transition to low-carbon, sustainable aviation systems.



The goal of this research topic is to advance scientific understanding and develop practical solutions to reduce the environmental impact of the aviation sector through the development and deployment of sustainable fuel technologies. Although sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) have gained considerable attention as a pathway toward net-zero aviation, several technical, economic, and policy-related barriers continue to limit their widespread adoption. Key challenges include sustainable feedstock availability, high production costs, lifecycle emissions assessment, infrastructure compatibility, fuel certification, and large-scale commercialization. This Research Topic seeks to bring together researchers, industry experts, and policymakers to explore innovative approaches that can accelerate aviation decarbonization. Contributions may address advanced biofuels, synthetic fuels, hydrogen-based aviation energy systems, carbon capture integration, techno-economic analysis, supply-chain optimization, and regulatory frameworks supporting SAF implementation. Emphasis is also placed on multidisciplinary strategies that combine engineering, environmental assessment, economics, and policy perspectives. By promoting collaboration and knowledge exchange, this Research Topic aims to identify scalable, sustainable, and economically viable pathways to transform the future of aviation into a low-carbon, climate-resilient sector.



This research topic welcomes original research articles, reviews, perspectives, and case studies addressing emerging developments in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) technologies and aviation decarbonization strategies. The scope includes, but is not limited to, bio-based aviation fuels, synthetic e-fuels, hydrogen and hybrid energy systems, waste-to-fuel conversion pathways, and renewable feedstock development. Contributions focusing on lifecycle assessment, carbon accounting, techno-economic analysis, fuel certification, combustion performance, emissions reduction, and supply-chain optimization are highly encouraged. Studies exploring policy frameworks, carbon markets, regulatory challenges, and global initiatives supporting SAF deployment are also within scope. Interdisciplinary research integrating engineering, environmental science, energy systems, economics, and sustainability assessment is particularly welcomed. Authors are encouraged to present innovative, scalable, and practical solutions that contribute to the transition to low-carbon, net-zero aviation systems.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), Low-Carbon Aviation, Sustainable Transportation, Renewable Energy Integration, Aviation Emissions Reduction, E-aviation, Green Hydrogen, Green Taxes, Zero Emissions

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.