Aviation’s climate plan is missing the point

Volatility is increasingly dominating boardroom discussions. Escalating conflict in the Middle East, shifting trade policies, and wider geopolitical tensions are sending repeated shocks through international markets. These disruptions are exposing the fragility of global supply chains and of the energy systems that keep them moving. Aviation offers a clear example. Modern commerce depends on air networks to move essential cargo and connect people and businesses across borders. When geopolitical events threaten global oil supplies, jet fuel quickly becomes a critical vulnerability. The effects ripple across the economy: manufacturers face delays in receiving vital components, while retailers see high-value inventory held up far from its destination. To reduce aviation’s environmental impact, the industry has developed sustainable aviation fuel, or SAF. Made from renewable feedstocks such as used cooking oil and agricultural waste, SAF can be used in existing aircraft and fuel infrastructure when blended with conventional jet fuel. Yet many corporate teams still see it primarily as a means of meeting climate targets. That narrow framing overlooks a significant strategic opportunity.…