By Kate Abnett

BRUSSELS (Reuters), – The European Union’s ambitions to force the aviation sector use sustainable fuels, but they are too ambitious. The EU should instead let its member countries set more stringent requirements, according to seven countries.

As part of EU’s aim to decrease overall net emissions at 55% per year by 2030 from 1990 levels, last summer the European Commission suggested measures to combat greenhouse gas emission from aviation.

EU plans would require suppliers to mix at least 2 percent sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), into their kerosene starting in 2025. This will rise to 5% by 2030, and to 63% by 2050.

On Monday seven countries wrote to the Commission to express their support for the EU’s transport and climate policy requirements. However, it was important that the proposals allow the countries to take the EU standards further.

“We think there is scope for increasing ambition in sustainability and boosting SAF through allowing member countries to exceed minimum EU standards,” reads the letter reviewed by Reuters.

The letter stated that higher national targets wouldn’t distort competition on the EU market. The letter was signed by the ministers of Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Germany.

Danish climate minister Dan Jorgensen claimed that climate change is urgent and requires bolder action than the EU proposal. The EU proposal fell short of Denmark’s commitment to stop domestic flights from using fossil fuels by 2030, which was also set out by Sweden.

Jorgensen stated that the Commission’s current proposal will “unfortunately” impede our ambitions to lead the greening aviation industry.

SAF is a form of renewable energy and can be manufactured from biomass. It’s crucial in order to reduce the number of emissions that will occur from flying this decade.

According to these countries, higher national goals would increase SAF production and lower cost. Demand has been hampered by high costs, which have resulted in SAF accounting for less than 1 percent of Europe’s jet fuel consumption.

Negotiations and approval of the EU proposal by majority of EU members and the European Parlament are required.