Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)

The Indian government has set an indicative target of 1% blending of Sustainable Aviation Fuel with conventional jet fuel by 2027 for international flights, aimed at reducing carbon emissions.

• This target is planned to increase to 2% by 2028 and 5% by 2030, as per the Ministry of Petroleum and Gas.

About Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF):

• SAF, or Sustainable Aviation Fuel, is derived from sustainable feedstocks and closely resembles traditional fossil jet fuel in its chemical composition.
• It is produced using various feedstocks, including used cooking oil, animal waste fat, solid waste, forestry waste, and certain energy crops.

Advantages:

• SAF can reduce carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional jet fuel.
• It can be blended with aviation turbine fuel (ATF) without requiring new aircraft or engine designs.

Challenges:

• The high production cost of SAF is a major challenge in achieving emission targets.
• Policies and incentives are essential to reduce costs and promote SAF adoption.

Government Initiatives and Suggestions:

• Niti Aayog has proposed measures to boost local SAF production.
• The Ministry of Civil Aviation has outlined standards for airport equipment and is promoting the electrification of airport vehicles.
• A Goods and Services Tax (GST) rate of 5% on SAF has been suggested, along with waiving certain airport charges for SAF-operated flights.

Industry Perspectives:

• Aerospace companies like Airbus recognize India’s potential as a major SAF market with adequate policy support.
• Airlines have expressed concerns over sustainability without significant government support.
• A blend of 5% SAF in jet fuel could increase average ticket prices slightly.

Efforts by Companies:

• Indian Oil Corporation and US-based LanzaJet Inc. are planning a joint venture for SAF production.
• Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals is working on establishing a SAF plant in Karnataka.

The Global Context:

• The aviation industry must explore various options, including carbon offset programmes and diversifying SAF feedstocks, to meet the 2050 net-zero emissions target.

Global Aviation Goals:

• The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) aspires to net-zero carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from aviation by 2050.
• SAF is considered the fastest way for the industry to reduce emissions.

Ref: Source