Archive · 17 Jun 2025
U.S. to Object to UN Green Jet Fuel Recommendation
Imagine airplanes are trying to use cleaner fuel to help the environment.
The UN, a group of countries working together, has ideas on how to make this happen.
The U.S. is not happy with one of these ideas, which it thinks gives an unfair advantage to corn farmers in Brazil, who want to make the fuel.
The U.S. believes the plan could hurt farmers at home, where they also want to make cleaner fuel.
Brazil worries that arguing about the plan might make it harder to trust whether the cleaner fuel is truly good for the environment.
The U.S. is expected to object to a UN recommendation on green jet fuel.
The U.S. argues the recommendation favors Brazilian corn farmers.
Brazil's corn ethanol producers warn the disagreement could undermine confidence in sustainable aviation fuels.
The issue concerns the criteria for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) certification.
Global carriers aim for net-zero emissions by 2050, increasing demand for SAF.
- Who
- The U.S. and Brazilian corn producers are at odds, with involvement from the UN aviation agency.
- What
- The U.S. is expected to object to a UN recommendation regarding green jet fuel.
- When
- This month.
- Where
- At the UN aviation agency council and within the U.S. and Brazil.
- Why
- The U.S. argues the recommendation unfairly favors Brazilian corn farmers in the development of green jet fuel.
U.S. View
Brazil View
Fairness of the recommendation
U.S. View
The U.S. argues that the UN recommendation unfairly favors Brazilian corn farmers at the expense of U.S. producers.
Brazil View
Brazilian producers believe that attempts to politicize or delegitimize the process would be extremely serious and undermine confidence in the certification system.
- Main Concern
- U.S. objections to UN green jet fuel recommendations
- Primary Parties
- U.S., Brazil, UN aviation agency (ICAO)
- Issue
- Criteria for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
- U.S. Stance
- Recommendation unfairly favors Brazil
- Brazilian Concern
- Disagreement could undermine confidence in SAF certification
- Global Goal
- Net-zero emissions by 2050 (aviation sector)
- SAF Usage
- Less than 1% of total jet fuel usage currently