Viewpoint: Regulating Sustainability In Business Aviation

Sustainable aviation practices have become critical to supporting global net-zero targets and emissions reduction, with regulatory frameworks playing a vital role in keeping environmental priorities at the forefront of progress. Without policy, sustainability efforts risk being unstructured and fragmented, leaving companies unaligned in their initiatives.

As business aviation organizations seek to operate more sustainably while maintaining operational efficiency, evolving regulations introduce new challenges and opportunities. Operators must find ways to navigate these complexities and stay abreast of what’s happening in the sector.

 Digitalization will be crucial to ensuring they can stay compliant in this competitive and more sustainable landscape.

Sustainability: What’s New In 2025

2025 marks a significant year for the industry’s drive to a more sustainable future as several new regulations come into effect.

In the UK, the government administered its Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) mandate on Jan. 1st which requires all jet fuel supplied to the country to contain at least 2% SAF. 

While the legislation marks a significant step forward in the industry’s drive to reduce harmful fossil fuel emissions, it requires operators to overcome new financial hurdles. Jet owners, aircraft management, and charter companies that operate in the UK will need to invest more in the short term as SAF production continues to scale. We’ll likely see business aviation organizations turn to technology to alleviate new pressures, thanks to the long-term cost and time saving benefits it offers.

In Europe, we’ll continue to see regulations emphasize emissions tracking and transparency. EASA has already outlined its mandate to standardize environmental impact information, allowing passengers to compare the environmental impact of their flights more easily. The EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) also introduced new reporting requirements for non-CO₂ emissions from Jan.1, 2025, and the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is set to become mandatory from the start of next year.

These measures reinforce Europe’s move toward more rigorous environmental disclosure and lifecycle emissions analysis, which will require operators to introduce accurate tracking systems and reporting methods. 

Proactive engagement and investment in technology will be essential for operators to successfully navigate these evolving regulations, as well as boost emission transparency between stakeholders.

In the US, similar reporting mandates have been implemented. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has adopted a rule requiring public companies, including non-U.S. firms with shares traded in the U.S., to report elements of their environmental footprint, including Scope 1 and 2 emissions. Corporate flight departments and managed aircraft used by large public companies will need to invest in technologies that ensure accurate and efficient emissions tracking, with first disclosures being scheduled for 2026 to cover Fiscal Year 2025 reporting.

Sustainability initiatives in the U.S. are also developing through incentive programs. The Clean Fuel Production Credit (CFPC) rewards SAF producers based on emission reductions. 

For business jet operators, this means that while there is no direct obligation to incorporate SAF into their fuel mix, the increasing availability and potential cost reductions of SAF in the future – driven by these incentives – could make adoption easier and more appealing over time.

Navigating Changes With Digitalization

Complying to a range of new regulations, which differ from region to region, introduces complexities for business aviation organizations. Businesses will need to remain agile as mandates continue to evolve and reshape the industry’s future.

Technology is becoming increasingly critical. Among large scale projects, introducing digital systems at an administrative level can be the key to a more flexible approach. For example, digital document management solutions can significantly streamline regulatory adherence. Traditional, paper-based systems often exceed hundreds of pages of information, making it difficult to adapt when changes to an existing regulation are issued or new framework introduced. 

Digitalization can condense all information into one accessible platform, while automatically updating and flagging regulatory changes. This is an extremely beneficial practice for business aviation operators looking to save time, drive operational efficiency, and remain compliant.

The introduction of large language models (LLM) in aviation documentation further enhances these opportunities. Navigating regulatory information can be time-consuming. With AI, users can ask questions about a new regulation and receive descriptive answers, not only saving time spent sourcing relevant information but further improving compliance.  

Is The Future Digital?

As environmental regulations become more complex and diverse, forward-looking business aviation operators must prioritize digitalization to remain competitive. Digital tools are integral to the operational efficiency that modern businesses require in an evolving regulatory environment. Digital documentation platforms are one example, working to significantly reduce the burden of managing multiple frameworks. In a shifting industry, those who adapt early to digital solutions will be best positioned to thrive in an increasingly regulated future.

Paul Sandström is COO of Web Manuals.