Q. Why in News/Context?

·      This India eyes to mandate use of 1% Sustainable Aviation Fuel by 2025 (Source-India Times, The Hindu and Indian Express)

·  Recently, the Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP), a laboratory operating under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), has formed partnerships with prominent aviation companies such as Boeing, Indigo, and Spicejet, as well as with the three Tata Airlines - Air India, Vistara, and AirAsia India.

· This collaboration aims to promote the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional aviation fuel.

Q. What is sustainable Aviation Fuel and its aim?

·     Sustainable Aviation Fuel also known as bio-jet fuel, is a type of fuel that is produced through domestically developed methods using cooking oil and oil-rich seeds from plants. 

·     The production of SAF aims to reduce the carbon footprint of the aviation industry and promote environmental sustainability. 

Q. Advantages of Sustainable Aviation Fuel :

·      Expanding the production and utilisation of Sustainable Aviation Fuel in India can lead to numerous advantages, such as lowering greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, improving air quality, bolstering energy security, generating employment opportunities in the renewable energy sector, and advancing sustainable development. 

·   SAF has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80 per cent compared to conventional jet fuel

·    Further, SAF can assist the aviation industry in meeting its environmental objectives and contribute to worldwide efforts to combat climate change.

·     Biofuel for aviation can be blended with conventional jet fuel and used together. It has a lower sulfur content compared to traditional fuel, which can reduce air pollution and support India's aim of achieving Net Zero emissions.

Q. What are the challenges?

·  The cost of producing SAF is higher than traditional jet fuel, making it economically unfeasible for airlines to invest in SAF production and use. 

·     There is limited infrastructure for the production, storage, and distribution of SAF, making it difficult to scale up the production and supply of SAF. 

·     Further, the limited availability of feedstock for SAF production, and there is competition for resources from other industries, such as the food and agriculture sectors. 

·    The certification process for SAF is complex and time-consuming, and a lack of globally recognised standards for SAF production.

·      Also, there is a need to raise public awareness and understanding of the benefits of SAF and to encourage greater support from policymakers and investors.

Q. What is the status of SAF in India?

·   According to Petroleum Industry, India consumed around 8 million tonnes of ATF and emitted around 20 million tonnes of greenhouse gas in 2019. India has feedstock for potential production of 19 to 24 million tonnes of SAF per year, whereas the estimated maximum requirement of SAF in India, considering 50% blend, is around 8 to 10 million tons per year by 2030

·   India plans to mandate the use of 1% of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for domestic airlines by 2025, in a bid to cut emissions from the sector.

·    Unlike the United States and the European Union, India does not have policies governing sustainable aviation fuel yet. The European Commission SAF mandate is expected to start in 2025 with a minimum volume of SAF at 2%.

Q. What are the International efforts to promote SAF?

·     The Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA):

·    CORSIA is a global offsetting scheme, whereby airlines and other aircraft operators will offset any growth in CO2 emissions above 2020 levels. It is anticipated that CORSIA will mitigate around 2.5 billion tonnes of CO2 between 2021 and 2035, which is an annual average of 164 million tonnes of CO2. 

·     The mandatory phase of International Civil Aviation Organization’s Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) will take effect from 2027. 

·      India, while not a participant in the voluntary phases of CORSIA, will have to comply with the mandatory phase starting 2027.