Pathways Toward Climate-Neutral Aviation: Sustainable Aviation Fuels, Policy Alignment, and the Emerging Role of Industrial Hemp

The aviation sector remains one of the most challenging domains for decarbonization due to its dependence on high–energy-density liquid fuels and the limited short-term scalability of alternative propulsion systems. Recent international policy frameworks, industrial roadmaps, and sustainability strategies emphasize Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs) as a central mitigation pathway for reducing lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions without compromising operational reliability. This article synthesizes contemporary academic and institutional perspectives on aviation emissions trajectories, SAF technological readiness, and policy-driven transformation, while introducing industrial hemp as an emerging and underexplored bio-based feedstock aligned with global sustainability frameworks. Drawing on reports from international energy agencies, aviation manufacturers, and multilateral governance bodies, the study integrates emissions modeling perspectives, feedstock sustainability criteria, and regulatory alignment considerations. Using a qualitative–analytical methodology, the paper evaluates how SAF deployment scenarios interact with policy instruments such as the European Green Deal and global climate commitments. Particular attention is given to the compatibility of hemp-based biomass with sustainability benchmarks, land-use constraints, and industrial scalability. The discussion highlights structural limitations, including feedstock availability, cost dynamics, and uneven policy harmonization across regions. The findings suggest that while SAFs alone are unlikely to deliver absolute climate neutrality, diversified feedstock strategies combined with coherent policy frameworks significantly enhance the sector’s mitigation potential. The article contributes to the growing literature by positioning industrial hemp within aviation decarbonization discourse and by emphasizing systems-level integration rather than singular technological solutions.