Context: Recently, the Virgin Atlantic flight achieved a significant milestone by operating the world’s first flight using 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

More on News:

• In December 2022, the UK government awarded Euro 1 million in funding to Virgin Atlantic to support the industry in achieving the first transatlantic flight on a commercial aircraft powered by 100 per cent SAF.
• The trip is powered by fuel made from waste fats that cannot enter the food chain. Repurposing waste products into jet fuel to cut emissions.

About Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF):

• SAF is a biofuel used to power aircraft with similar properties to conventional jet fuel but with a smaller carbon footprint. 
• Significance: It has a greenhouse gas emissions reduction of around 70 percent when compared to standard jet fuel over its life cycle.
  • SAF’s lower carbon intensity makes it an important solution for reducing aviation GHGs, which make up 9%–12%.
  • It is ‘sustainable’ because the raw feedstock does not compete with food crops or water supplies, or is responsible for forest degradation.
• Sources of Production:
  • The Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP), a laboratory of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), has created fuel using different materials, such as non-edible and edible oils, and used cooking oil.
  • They used various sources, including palm stearin, sapium oil, palm fatty acid distillates, algae oil, karanja, and jatropha.

Efforts for Promoting the SAF:

•  Worldwide:
  • CORSIA Program: It aims to tackle aviation emissions by mandating offsetting of emissions exceeding 2020 levels and promoting Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) adoption.
  • Clean Skies for Tomorrow Initiative: The Clean Skies for Tomorrow initiative by the World Economic Forum seeks to expedite the production and adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). 
• India:
  • The Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP), has tied up with Boeing, Indigo, Spicejet and the three Tata Airlines — Air India, Vistara and AirAsia India — to support the production of SAF. 
  • The CSIR-IIP pilot plant in Dehradun has produced 10,000 litres of fuel for the IAF to date. It was produced from feedstock like non-edible, edible and used cooking oil.

Benefits of SAF:

• Reduced Carbon Emissions: SAF can achieve up to 80% lower lifecycle carbon emissions, helping to mitigate climate change and achieve environmental sustainability goals.
• Improved Air Quality: SAF has lower levels of pollutants such as sulfur, particulate matter, and nitrogen oxides than conventional jet fuels, improving air quality.
• Renewable and Sustainable Source: SAF can be produced from various sustainable feedstocks, including plant-based sources, agricultural residues, waste materials

News Source: Economic Times

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