China mandates greener aviation standards by 2030

The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has released a new implementation plan aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of the nation’s aviation sector. The policy mandates that by 2030, over 55 percent of all ground vehicles at Chinese airports must be fully electric, with general-use vehicle targets reaching 90 percent. Airports are expected to phase out high-emission fossil-fuel vehicles to meet these environmental standards.

The strategy also targets a substantial increase in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) capacity, aiming for 2.4 million tons annually by 2030. The CAAC plans to promote diverse feedstocks, including waste oils and cellulose-based biomass, while investing in advanced production technologies such as carbon-to-liquid processes. This initiative is designed to ensure supply chain stability and technical competitiveness in the green fuel market.

Furthermore, the plan focuses on optimizing terminal energy consumption. The CAAC aims to have electric power account for over 60 percent of terminal energy use across the country’s airports. The roadmap includes the modernization of ground power systems and heating, intended to reduce reliance on coal and fossil fuel-based auxiliary power units for aircraft parked at gates.