Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)

Why in news?

Union Minister for Civil Aviation recently said that India will soon release a national policy on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), aligns with India targets Net Zero by 2070.

• Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) – Refers to aviation fuel derived from non-fossil sources, such as agricultural residue, municipal solid waste, used cooking oil, etc.
• It offers a life-cycle carbon emission reduction of up to 80% compared to conventional jet fuel.
• Global Targets – 5% CO₂ emissions reduction by 2030 and reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
• India’s target – Blending targets of 1% by 2027, 2% by 2028 and 5% by 2030 for international flights under International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)’s Carbon Offsetting & Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) programme.
• India’s Biomass Capacity – 750 million tonnes of total biomass availability, in that 213 million tonnes of surplus agricultural residue.
• SAF requirement – 1% blending by 2027 - 30 million litres, 2% target for 2028 - 62 million litres.
• Current domestic production capacity – Domestic oil manufacturing companies collectively have 70 million litres/year production capacity.
• Public-Private Collaboration – Airbus–Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV) signed a Joint Study Agreement (JSA), focused on converting municipal solid waste into Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

Quick Fact

Reference

The Hindu | India to release national policy on SAF