Syllabus: GS3/Environment; Energy
Context
- India is formulating a national policy on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) alongside a long-term roadmap through 2050, as part of its efforts to achieve Net Zero emissions by 2070.
About the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
- It is a bio-based alternative to fossil-derived jet fuel that can be produced from non-edible oils, used cooking oil, algae, and agricultural waste.
Need For A National Policy on SAF
- Global Compliance & Enabling International Certification: ICAO’ CORSIA becomes mandatory for participating states from 2027.
- Airlines operating international flights between ICAO member states need to be required to offset their carbon emissions above a set baseline, ensuring compliance with global emissions reduction goals.
- India currently lacks an Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) benchmark within the CORSIA framework, unlike Brazil (sugarcane) and the US (corn).
| Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) – Launched by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in 2016, to achieve carbon-neutral growth in international aviation from 2020 onwards. – First global market-based mechanism to address international aviation emissions. Implementation Phases – Pilot Phase (2021–2023): Voluntary participation. – First Phase (2024–2026): Still voluntary, but many states have joined. – Second Phase (2027–2035): Mandatory for most ICAO member states (with exceptions for Least Developed Countries, Small Island Developing States, and Landlocked Developing Countries) |
Potential and Opportunities
- India has proposed blending targets of 1% by 2027; 2% by 2028; and 5% by 2030 for SAF in Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), initially for international flights.
- By 2030, achieving the 5% SAF blending target would require about 6 billion litres of ethanol, if no other feedstocks are considered.
- Support Feedstock Cultivation & Supply Chain Development: According to Deloitte’s 2024 report ‘Green Wings: India’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel Revolution in the Making’:
- India could produce 8–10 million tonnes of SAF annually by FY40.
- Investments required: ₹6–7 lakh crore ($70–85 billion).
- Emission reduction potential: 20–25 million tonnes annually.
- The Indian Sugar & Bio-energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) is working on blending strategies.
- It has partnered with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) to conduct a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of sugarcane-based SAF using syrup, molasses, and bagasse.
Challenges
- Cost and Classification: SAF costs nearly 3 times more than conventional jet fuel, while synthetic SAF (Power-to-Liquid) can be 7 times costlier.
- SAF is still classified under fossil fuels, and reclassification under the bioenergy sector would allow access to existing incentives, such as those under the Gobardhan scheme.
- Technological Gaps: SAF production requires advanced infrastructure and R&D.
- Limited access to sustainable biomass like molasses, bagasse, and used cooking oil.
Efforts & Initiatives Related to SAF in India
- Institutional Framework: The policy is being jointly steered by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) and the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA).
- MoPNG: Focus on production, feedstock development, and certification.
- It has constituted a Bio-Aviation Turbine Fuel Programme Committee to promote SAF adoption.
- MoCA: Responsible for implementation, airline obligations, airport readiness, and compliance with global standards such as ASTM D7566 and CORSIA.
- MoPNG: Focus on production, feedstock development, and certification.
- Indian Oil Corporation aims to start producing 35,000 tonnes of SAF per year from used cooking oil, sourced from large hotels, restaurants, and food chains.
- India is collaborating with the US under the Strategic Clean Energy Partnership (SCEP), which includes SAF-focused workshops on R&D, certification, and market development.
- CSIR–Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP) has developed SAF using indigenous feedstocks such as palm stearin, sapium oil, algae oil, karanja, and jatropha.
- It has received provisional certification from the Centre for Military Airworthiness & Certification (CEMILAC) for use in military aircraft.
Conclusion and Way Forward
- India’s SAF policy is not just an environmental necessity but a strategic opportunity to lead in sustainable aviation. With strong collaboration between government, industry, and research, India can advance toward its net-zero goals.
- There is a need to accelerate the release of a comprehensive National SAF Policy with clear mandates and regulatory guidelines.
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