Amazon is ramping up its net-zero commitment and reducing carbon emissions from its logistics operations by increasing its use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The e-commerce giant just announced it will buy over 9 million liters, or about 7,500 metric tons, of SAF. This will come from Finnish producer Neste.
The fuel will power Amazon Air cargo flights until 2025. This volume will aid cargo operations at two key California airports: San Francisco International and Ontario International.
This move follows Amazon’s previous SAF investments, including more than 6 million liters used in 2023. Since then, the company has been increasing its SAF purchases, aiming to make air freight more sustainable.
What’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel? The Science of Cleaner Jet Fuel
Air freight has a history of high emissions. Amazon’s choice to work with Neste, a top renewable fuel producer, shows how private firms are speeding up climate action in supply chains. And SAF shows a promising solution.
Sustainable aviation fuel is a renewable alternative to conventional fossil-based jet fuel. SAF can come from many sources. These include used cooking oils, agricultural waste, municipal solid waste, and woody biomass.
Renewable sources can cut aviation fuel’s lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% compared to traditional jet fuel. SAF meets aviation standards – it can blend with fossil fuels, so no engine modifications are needed.
Despite these benefits, SAF still represents only a small fraction of total jet fuel consumption worldwide. In 2024, it accounted for just 0.3% of global aviation fuel use, according to estimates from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Yet, the push to scale up SAF production is gaining momentum. Amazon’s investment in SAF helps meet its net zero and climate goals. It also supports the wider push to reduce carbon emissions in aviation.
Carl Nyberg, Senior Vice President, Commercial, Renewable Products at Neste, remarked:
“We are excited to provide SAF to Amazon Air at two major airports in California… This milestone sends a positive signal that SAF is available to airlines and cargo operators, like Amazon Air at these airports.”
The SAF Struggle: Costs, Feedstocks, and Gaps to Fill
- High Cost and Supply Gaps. SAF typically costs 2 to 7 times more than fossil jet fuel, creating hurdles for airlines unless long-term commitments and mandates exist.
- Feedstock Scarcity. HEFA feedstocks (like used fats and oils) are limited, pushing producers toward agricultural or woody waste—though these bring logistical and certification challenges.
Regional Supply-Demand Mismatch. In Asia, production capacity is soon to exceed demand, potentially lowering prices, but without mandates, airlines may lack incentive.
Amazon’s SAF Purchase: Why It Matters?
Amazon’s decision to purchase nearly 10 million liters of SAF in 2025 is important for several reasons. First, it shows that sustainable fuels can be scaled to serve logistics operations, not just commercial passenger flights.
Amazon’s fuel volume is now over three times its 2023 SAF usage. This makes the retail giant one of the top adopters of SAF among large cargo operators.
Second, the deal provides a level of demand certainty for Neste and other SAF producers, encouraging them to expand production capacity and invest in new technologies. Long-term agreements like this help stabilize the growing SAF market.
Also, this deal gives producers the confidence to expand their operations. Thus, major buyers will fund decarbonization efforts, even without global rules.
Third, the emissions impact of this fuel use is notable. SAF has the potential to reduce lifecycle emissions by up to 80%. Based on the 2023 figures, Amazon’s SAF purchases that year helped avoid an estimated 15,600 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e).
With even more fuel planned for 2025, Amazon’s climate gains could be substantially higher. These cuts help the company keep its promise to The Climate Pledge. Amazon plans to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.
Using SAF for cargo flights meets rising demands from consumers, investors, and regulators. They expect companies to lower their environmental impact. Amazon’s global growth may lead the way in clean logistics. This investment could inspire other big retailers and logistics firms.
Boosting Fossil Fuel Free Aviation
Neste is a Finland-based global leader in the production of renewable fuels and sustainable aviation fuel. Originally an oil refining company, Neste has transformed itself into one of the largest producers of renewable diesel and SAF made from waste and residue raw materials like used cooking oil and animal fats.
The company operates SAF production facilities in Finland, the Netherlands, and the United States. It supplies fuel to airlines, airports, and corporations aiming to reduce their carbon footprint.
Neste’s SAF can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% over the lifecycle of the fuel compared to fossil jet fuel. The company plays a key role in helping the aviation industry meet climate targets. It is actively expanding its SAF production capacity to meet rising global demand.
Future Fuel: Where SAF Goes from Here
The outlook for SAF is promising, though challenges remain. Global SAF production reached about 1.3 billion liters in 2024 and is projected to increase sharply over the next five years.
Forecasts suggest SAF annual production could reach between 23 and 30 billion liters—roughly 6 to 8 billion gallons—by 2030. This would be a big step, but it would only meet a small part of global jet fuel demand. So, more policy and industry support are still necessary.
Efforts are also underway to diversify SAF production technologies. Current supplies mainly use HEFA (hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids) from used oils.
Researchers and producers are also working on alternatives. These include alcohol-to-jet (ATJ) fuels, Fischer–Tropsch synthesis, and synthetic e-fuels. The latter uses green hydrogen and carbon capture. These technologies can ease feedstock limits. They also allow for bigger emissions cuts in the long run.
Amazon’s SAF Bet Sets the Pace
In the meantime, corporate buyers like Amazon play a critical role in demonstrating market demand and driving investment. Using SAF widely and building strong supply chains can help companies lower the environmental impact of air travel.
Amazon’s expanded use of sustainable aviation fuel marks a pivotal step in its efforts to decarbonize its supply chain. By securing more than 9 million liters of SAF for 2025, the company is not only reducing emissions from its cargo flights but also helping the aviation sector move closer to net zero.
As policies tighten and global demand for low-carbon logistics increases, Amazon’s leadership in adopting SAF could influence competitors and partners to follow suit. While the journey to net-zero aviation is far from complete, initiatives like this one from Amazon show that meaningful progress is underway.
