SAF and Sustainable Aviation: Bringing the Regions to the Runway with Jet Zero

In this episode of Exploring Clean Energy, Andy sits down with Neil Gardner, Executive Manager at Jet Zero Australia, to explore one of the most practical pathways to decarbonising aviation: Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Neil breaks down what SAF is, why it’s considered the near-to-medium term solution for long-haul flight, and how policy, mandates, and corporate demand are shaping a fast-scaling global market. The conversation also goes behind the scenes at Jet Zero - covering the Ulysses and Mandala projects, community engagement in regional Queensland, and why “bringing the regions to the runway” is more than a motto - it’s a blueprint for Australia’s clean fuel future.

Show Notes & Timestamps
0:00 - Welcome to Exploring Clean Energy
Andy introduces the show and today’s focus: clean energy solutions accelerating a sustainable future.

0:16 - Introducing Today’s Guest: Neil Gardner (Jet Zero Australia)
Neil’s background and role leading Jet Zero’s growth and SAF project development.

0:32 - What is SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel)?
Neil explains SAF as a non-fossil jet fuel and the lifecycle emissions reduction potential (around 60% to 85%+).

1:42 - “Drop-in fuel”: why SAF matters right now
How SAF works with existing aircraft and fuel infrastructure - no new planes required.

3:11 - SAF vs batteries vs hydrogen for aviation
Why batteries are currently too heavy for long-haul; hydrogen storage and infrastructure constraints; why SAF is viewed as the near/medium-term solution.

6:10 - SAF production pathways and “technology agnostic” delivery
Neil explains multiple ASTM-approved pathways and why Jet Zero focuses on high “TRL” (readiness) technologies.

7:40 - Alcohol-to-Jet and HEFA pathways explained
HEFA: currently the main global SAF pathway (using used cooking oil/tallow/oilseeds)
Alcohol-to-Jet: emerging as a key scalable pathway (ethanol → SAF)

9:15 - LanzaJet and the Ulysses project
LanzaJet’s commercialisation of Alcohol-to-Jet and Jet Zero’s relationship + licensing approach.

10:40 - Feedstocks: ethanol, sugarcane, corn waste, and future options
How different feedstocks support different SAF pathways—and why diversity matters.

12:20 - “There isn’t enough feedstock”: addressing the common critique
Neil’s take on market saturation risks for used cooking oil/tallow and the need for new feedstocks.

14:40 - Certification, transparency, and avoiding unintended consequences
Why traceability, certification, and supply chain governance are essential for integrity and emissions claims.

16:30 - Book-and-claim + blockchain traceability (in practice)
How corporates can track SAF impact across the supply chain and confidently report emissions reductions.

18:50 - Global mandates driving demand (EU, UK, Japan)
How blend mandates create demand certainty and unlock investment for capital-intensive SAF projects.

21:10 - Australia’s policy gap and the opportunity ahead
Why Australia is behind on mandates, what consultation is underway, and the “second-mover advantage”.

23:10 - Corporate-led momentum: Qantas, the SAF Coalition, and the $200m fund
How corporate Scope 3 commitments are pulling SAF into the market before regulation arrives.

25:30 - Why this industry scales fast: growth outlook and demand by 2050
Neil shares the growth trajectory and why this could be one of the fastest fuel transitions globally.

27:20 - What is Jet Zero and why it was created
Jet Zero’s purpose, investor support (including Airbus, Qantas, Idemitsu), and focus on bankable, near-term delivery.

28:40 - Funding correction (Queensland Government grant)
Neil corrects the Queensland Government grant figure mentioned in the episode.

29:35 - Project 1: Ulysses (Townsville) - Alcohol-to-Jet
~200M litres of ethanol input
~100M litres SAF output
~11M litres renewable diesel output
Targeting FID in 2H 2026 and operations by end of 2028

32:20 - Project 2: Mandala (Gladstone) - HEFA
Feedstocks include tallow, used cooking oil, and domestic canola, plus exploration of future native crops.

33:39 - Closing reflections
SAF as the most practical near-term decarbonisation route for aviation and Australia’s chance to lead.

Funding Correction
Correction: Queensland Government grant value
In the episode, the Queensland Government grant was misstated as $660,000. The correct amount is $760,000.
Official announcement:
https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/100955

Guest Bio - Neil Gardner
Neil Gardner is the Executive Manager at Jet Zero Australia and was one of the organisation’s first employees, playing a key role in its growth from start-up to an emerging industry leader in sustainable aviation fuels. Neil has 20 years’ experience in the energy industry, leading teams of up to 200 people, and brings deep commercial and strategic expertise across the energy transition. He has held senior roles with Shell across Australasia, spent seven years with Arrow Energy (Shell & CNPC CSG JV) as Commercial Manager and Senior Advisor to the CEO, and is ex-Verbrec (engineering services across APAC). Neil holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Birmingham.

Links
Jet Zero website: https://jetzero.com.au/
Neil Gardner on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neil-gardner-b223051/
Jet Zero on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jet-zero/