Fueling the Future: Georgia Tech and Drawdown Georgia Business Compact Convene Experts to Drive Sustainable Aviation Fuel in the Southeast

Promise for Southeast to emerge as a hub for sustainable aviation fuel production

The aviation industry’s commitment to meaningful carbon reduction underscores the need for investing in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), which provides the most promising solution to achieving net-zero carbon by 2050. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), with the right policy measures and financial instruments in place, SAF could help the industry achieve 65% of this reduction. As a key transportation center in the U.S., the Southeast holds immense potential to become a hub for SAF production and adoption.

This prospect was the focus of a recent workshop organized by three Georgia Tech units – the Ray C. Anderson Center for Sustainable Business and its initiative, the Drawdown Georgia Business Compact; the School of Public Policy; and the Strategic Energy Institute; along with the U.S. Department of Energy Bioenergy Technologies Office. The workshop gathered together multiple stakeholder groups representing federal, state, and local government, industry, academia, and the aviation sector to chart a path forward for the Southeast.

“The transition to Sustainable Aviation Fuel represents a significant opportunity to decarbonize the aviation industry while creating new economic opportunities, particularly in a resource-rich region like the Southeast,” according to Beril Toktay, faculty director at the Ray C. Anderson Center for Sustainable Business. “Success requires collaboration across the entire value chain, from feedstock producers to airlines, who were all represented at this multi-stakeholder workshop.”

The discussions centered around the key drivers of SAF demand, the availability and viability of regional feedstocks, the evolving policy landscape, financing strategies, and the economic development opportunities presented by SAF. The day’s events began with an introduction by  Gretchen Goldman, from the U.S. Department of Transportation, who provided an overview of the federal government’s efforts to decarbonize the transportation sectors. In particular, she  highlighted the SAF Grand Challenge, a multi-agency initiative aimed at accelerating the production and adoption of SAF to meet the industry’s ambitious net-zero goals.

Dan Matisoff, professor and director of the Master of Sustainable Energy and Environmental Management Program at Georgia Tech, presented his team’s findings on the global SAF landscape, including supply and demand forecasts, policy, technology pathways, and the role of the Southeast in scaling SAF production. “There is significant opportunity for SAF development in the Southeast,” Matisoff said. “With the forest products industry's interest in creating new markets, there are opportunities to boost rural economic development, incomes for landowners, and jobs for the industry. At the same time, airlines are under pressure to find ways to decarbonize and SAF is the most viable path forward, but there are still obstacles standing in the way. Bringing stakeholders together is a small step towards softening some of these barriers.”

Industry leaders included representatives from Delta Air Lines, UPS, and Gulfstream, sharing their organizations’ sustainability commitments and the critical importance of SAF in achieving those targets. The policy panel delved into the complex web of federal, state, and local incentives and regulations shaping the SAF market.

Experts discussed the need for long-term, stable policies that provide the necessary investment certainty for project developers and identified gaps in the current policy landscape, such as the imbalance between support for renewable diesel versus SAF. Financing strategies emerged as a key area, highlighting the roles of federal loan programs, corporate offtake agreements, and regional hubs in unlocking capital for SAF projects. The Minnesota SAF Hub was spotlighted as a successful model for aggregating demand, aligning stakeholders, and attracting investment.

“Georgia is home to really rich agricultural and forestry resources and the world’s busiest airport, positioning the state to be able to successfully scale SAF solutions,” according to David Eady, director of industry engagement for the Ray C. Anderson Center for Sustainable Business and leader with the Compact. “What we need to be successful is long-term off-take agreements and advanced market commitments to send strong signals about demand for sustainable fuel. We also need long-term policy support – including longer range incentives and credits – to provide more certainty in the landscape.”

Throughout the workshop, a common theme emerged: the need for collaborative, cross-sector partnerships to drive SAF adoption. Participants emphasized the importance of aligning the interests of airlines, fuel producers, policymakers, financiers, and local communities to create a thriving SAF ecosystem in the Southeast. The Southeast’s abundant forestry and agricultural resources were central to the conversations. Experts from the Georgia Forestry Association and the Georgia Department of Economic Development emphasized the region’s potential to be a leader in SAF production, leveraging its natural assets and strong industry presence.

“With the region's unique strengths and the continued support of federal and state initiatives, the path to a greener future for air travel appears to be within reach,” said Christine Conwell, interim executive director of the Strategic Energy Institute. “This inaugural workshop marks the beginning of an ongoing regional dialogue, with organizers committed to translating these discussions into concrete actions.”

As the workshop concluded, attendees expressed a sense of optimism and a renewed commitment to collaboration to make the Southeast a national leader in sustainable aviation fuels. With the region's unique strengths and the continued support of federal and state initiatives, the path to a greener future for air travel appears to be within reach. This inaugural workshop marks the beginning of an ongoing regional dialogue, with organizers committed to translating these discussions into concrete actions.

If you are interested in learning more about sustainable fuel or taking part in ongoing discussions, email David Eady, director of industry engagement for the Ray C. Anderson Center for Sustainable Business. Are you a business leader in the state committed to sustainable solutions? Join other leading companies like these that are leveraging the collective impact of the Georgia business community to achieve net zero carbon emissions in the state.

Titiksha Fernandes, Ph.D., is a Program Manager for the Ray C. Anderson Center For Sustainable Business and a leader with the Drawdown Georgia Business Compact.