How India’s Biofuel Potential Complements its Leadership in Sustainable Aviation Fuel

Global Energy Independence Day, observed on July 10, serves as a timely reminder to embrace cleaner, sustainable energy alternatives. 

Imperative for Sustainable Aviation Fuel

• Aviation has emerged as a critical sector as it is estimated to contribute nearly 2.5 percent of global annual carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, alongside almost 4 per cent of the total anthropogenic contribution to global warming.
• This share is projected to increase as global air travel expands and other high-emission sectors transition to cleaner alternatives. 
• SAF, also known as aviation biofuel, is the most impactful solution for aviation decarbonisation, expected to achieve over 60 per cent of the required reductions.

About Sustainable Aviation Fuel

• SAF is a type of biofuel – meaning it is made from plant or animal materials rather than fossil fuels – and it has the potential to cut aviation’s greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% compared with traditional jet fuels.
• It possesses similar characteristics to Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) but boasts a significantly smaller carbon footprint. 
• SAF is a ‘drop-in’ fuel, meaning it blends seamlessly with ATF without requiring any modifications to existing aircraft, engines, or refuelling infrastructure.

Advantages of SAF

• Emission Reduction: SAF can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in air travel by up to 80 per cent compared to traditional jet fuel. 
  • Its combustion also produces fewer harmful gases and particulate matter, leading to cleaner skies.
• Compatibility: It is fully compatible with the current global aircraft fleet, ensuring immediate usability.
• Economic Opportunities: SAF adoption stimulates new demand for feedstock, creating revenue streams in agriculture and waste management sectors.
  • It also generates employment opportunities within the sustainability sector.
• Energy Security: Diversifying fuel sources through SAF production reduces India’s dependence on imported oil, shielding the aviation sector from global oil price volatility and potentially making air travel more accessible. 
• There are other innovations like Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origins (RFNBOs). 
  • It is produced using renewable electricity through Power to Liquid (PtL) technology that combines Green Hydrogen with Carbon captured from atmospheric CO₂.
  • It offers the potential for even net negative emissions. 
  • SAF combustion produces far less harmful gases and particulate matter, contributing to cleaner skies.

Challenges in the widespread adoption of SAF

• High Production Cost: SAF production is currently more than double the cost of conventional fuels, making large-scale adoption challenging without passing the burden to consumers.
• Infrastructure Development: The production, storage, blending, and transportation of SAF require the development of new infrastructure, which would add significantly to the initial cost of adoption.
• Feedstock Supply: Another key issue is the availability and sustainability of feedstock required for SAF production. 
  • The characteristics and variety of necessary feedstock mean that there is no guarantee of year-round supply.
• Environmental Impact Management: For SAF to be considered truly sustainable and to ensure a significant reduction in GHG emissions, it is crucial to ensure that its production does not have negative social or environmental impacts.

SAF reshapes global and Indian aviation

• ICAO’s CORSIA: The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) – the UN’s specialised agency for the development of air transport – has established the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA). 
  • It mandates that international airlines must offset their emissions growth post-2020, and the use of SAF is incentivised as a compliance mechanism.
• European Union’s ReFuelEU Aviation: Legally binding SAF blending targets:
  • 2% by 2025
  • 6% by 2030
  • 70% by 2050 
  • with sub-mandates for synthetic fuels
• World Economic Forum’s Clean Skies for Tomorrow Initiative: Aims for 10% SAF blending by 2030.
  • It also seeks to address the high cost of SAF through innovative financing and supportive policy frameworks.

India’s Robust Biofuel Potential

• India’s potential in SAF manufacturing is immense, with a projected capacity of 40 million tonnes by 2050. 
• This capacity is underpinned by a diverse range of sustainable feedstock materials available within the country:
  • Oils and Fats: This includes Used Cooking Oil (UCO), oil-rich seeds from plants, algae oils, and animal fats.
  • Waste Streams: Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) serves as a viable raw material.
  • Agricultural and Forestry Residues: Abundant resources like wood waste, sugarcane bagasse, corn stover, husks, straw, sugars, and starches are critical inputs.
    • India’s abundant agricultural residues specifically bolster its ambition to become an SAF exporter.
  • For SAF to be truly sustainable, it is imperative that its production does not compete with food production, cause deforestation, or harm biodiversity. 

India’s Leadership in the Global SAF Landscape

• India has adopted a pragmatic and nuanced approach to SAF, prioritising energy security and food security while balancing sustainability goals with passenger demand. 
• Despite advocating for nationally determined targets over binding international mandates, India is a party to the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA).

Key initiatives demonstrating India’s leadership

• Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA): Launched by India during the 2023 G20 Summit in New Delhi, the GBA aims to expedite the worldwide adoption of biofuels, including SAF.
• Domestic Blending Targets: India has established clear SAF blending targets:
  • 1 percent for domestic airlines by 2025.
  • 1-2 per cent for international flights by 2027-2028.
  • 5 percent by 2030, with the potential to scale up to 15 per cent by 2040.
    • This assertive stance positions India as a key player in shaping the future of global aviation decarbonisation.

Way Forward

To address such issues, policies like tax incentives and public-private partnerships have been proposed. SAF presents a near-term, drop-in solution to reduce emissions from the aviation sector while longer term decarbonisation technologies continue to evolve.

Conclusion

India’s robust biofuel potential, particularly its abundant agricultural residues, directly complements its ambition to be a market leader and exporter in the SAF sector. 

• By leveraging its domestic resources and strategic global initiatives, India is poised to make substantial contributions to global decarbonisation while simultaneously achieving its national energy security and economic growth objectives