B.C. biofuel use hits new highs as sustainable aviation fuel surges

British Columbia’s clean fuel policy helped renewable fuels reach new milestones in 2025, including 3.9% sustainable aviation fuel and 26.3% diesel blending. The results underscore growing demand for low-carbon fuels and the province’s early progress toward its 2030 aviation target.

Why it matters: - British Columbia’s low-carbon fuel rules are translating into real fuel use, emissions cuts and investment signals. - The province is also emerging as an early market for sustainable aviation fuel, a fuel category seen as difficult to scale. - The results point to a potential domestic opportunity for Canadian producers, feedstocks and clean fuel technologies.

What happened: - New data from British Columbia’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard shows renewable fuel use reached major milestones in 2025 across gasoline, diesel and aviation. - Renewable fuels supplied in B.C. reached a 26.3% blend rate in diesel and 12.3% in gasoline. - Sustainable Aviation Fuel supplied in the province reached 3.9% of total jet fuel supply. - That aviation result exceeded B.C.’s 2030 renewable jet fuel requirement five years early.

The details: - The data suggests B.C.’s clean fuel policy is creating market demand and supporting investment in low-carbon liquid fuels. - The 2025 fuel totals avoided more than 5 million tonnes of lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions. - Since 2010, B.C.’s renewable and low-carbon fuel requirements have avoided more than 32.7 million tonnes cumulatively. - Advanced Biofuels Canada said the province’s latest data shows biofuels are delivering measurable economic value and energy security. - The group said renewable fuels are reducing emissions, strengthening supply resilience and creating market opportunities for Canadian producers, feedstocks and technology providers. - The federal, provincial and territorial Biofuels Working Group report, Growing a Resilient Canadian Biofuels Sector, identifies sustainable aviation fuel as a major opportunity for Canada’s energy security and economic growth. - The report says Canada relies on imports for about 35% of its conventional jet fuel. - The report also says a domestic SAF industry could contribute $1 billion a year to GDP over the medium term in some scenarios.

Between the lines: - B.C.’s results show policy can pull demand forward before national targets or markets fully mature. - Aviation stands out because it is one of the hardest sectors to decarbonize and still depends heavily on imported conventional jet fuel. - The early SAF uptake suggests clear policy signals can move buyers and suppliers at the same time. - Advanced Biofuels Canada argues that more of the value created by these policies should stay in Canada through domestic production and Canadian supply chains.

What's next: - Advanced Biofuels Canada said it wants to work with the Government of British Columbia, the federal government and industry partners to strengthen domestic production and competitiveness. - The group is also pushing for investment in clean fuel supply chains that can support long-term energy security. - The next test is whether B.C.’s early SAF market can help build a durable made-in-Canada aviation fuel industry.

The bottom line: - B.C. has already hit 2030-level aviation fuel progress in 2025, giving the province an early proof point for low-carbon fuel policy in the real economy.