On the back of this increasing interest in carbon dioxide removals, some respondents expected competition between airlines and other sectors for CDR procurement to increase in 2025. Nevertheless, trends from late-2024 show that despite a significant increase in CDR offtakes, the number of first-time buyers has stalled,43 leaving an opportunity for more airlines to step in. Carbon dioxide removals (CDR) can play a key role in mitigating operational emissions for aviation, diversifying existing decarbonization strategies, and complementing a SAF and CORSIA-eligible offset portfolio. The availability of CDR credits in the voluntary carbon market remains relatively limited, making up just 4% of total supply, yet demand is growing. Carbon Direct is focused on ensuring more of that supply meets high-quality standards so the industry can expand with confidence. In 2025, we must significantly scale both nature-based and high-durability CDR solutions by increasing investment, securing forward purchases, and broadening the buyer base. Jonathan Goldberg, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Carbon Direct Alignment of SAF policy across regions and the future of SAF subsidies2.2 Policy and geopolitical challenges Asia Pacific In 2024, Asia Pacific emerged as a hot SAF market, with an increasing number of governments introducing supporting policies (see Figure 8). Singapore introduced a new levy on air tickets to support SAF expansion; Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia and South Korea announced or explored plans to introduce SAF mandates; and Australia made funding available for low-carbon fuel projects as part of its $1.1 billion innovation fund.44 Overview of introduced and pending SAF policies in Asia Pacific FIGURE 8 Production target: 50 Kt/a by 2030 1% of SAF by 2027 and 2% by 2028SAF mandate: 10% by 2030 SAF mandate: 1% by 2027 SAF mandate: 1% by 2026; 3-5% by 2030 SAF mandate: 1% by 2027 to 47% by 2050 SAF mandate: 1% by 2027 to 50% by 2060Jet Zero Council target: ≥10% SAF in 2030 $1.1 billion in SAF R&D funding from Australia Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) Note: Kt/a = thousand tonnes per annum Source: Kearney analysis based on multiple sources.45 Global Aviation Sustainability Outlook 2025 19