RESEARCH

Climate Policy
Energy Transition
Net-Zero Strategies
Circular Carbon Economy (CCE)
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)
Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR)
Energy Systems
Optimisation Modelling
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
Lower-Carbon Aviation Fuel (LCAF)


PhD Project Title:
Designing Market-Based Mechanisms for Enhancing the Economic Viability of Alternative Drop-in Fuels for Aviation Decarbonisation


PhD Project Summary:
This research aims to develops a data-driven computational model to evaluate the extent to which existing market-based mechanisms (MBMs) in aviation can induce economic tipping points for alternative drop-in fuel (SAF and LCAF) cost competitiveness, and to identify optimal policy combinations that enhance cost parity, stimulate demand, and incentivise investment. It draws comparative lessons from international and national carbon market policies in aviation including CORSIA, the EU ETS, and the UK ETS by analysing their design features, implementation challenges, and observed outcomes with regards of supporting the uptake of alternative drop-in fuels. Also, the research aims to propose new MBM designs tailored to Saudi Arabia’s aviation ecosystem and simulates SAF and LCAF adoption trajectories across the national fleet in Saudi Arabia using a novel agent-based model (ABM) that integrates behavioural, economic, and policy dynamics. This research will contribute to a deeper understanding of the factors shaping effective climate policy design in the aviation sector that support the uptake of alternative drop-in fuels.