Answer

Introduction

The aviation sector accounts for around 2.5% of global annual CO₂ emissions and nearly 4% of total anthropogenic global warming. As other sectors move towards greener alternatives, Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) has emerged as a key decarbonisation tool with the potential to reduce aviation-related emissions by up to 80%.

Body

Potential of SAF in Reducing Aviation Emissions

• Significant Emission Reductions: SAF can reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional jet fuel.
  Eg: SAF is a drop-in fuel compatible with existing aircraft engines and infrastructure, allowing immediate emissions benefits without retrofitting aircraft.
• Mitigation of Non-CO₂ Emissions: SAF emits less NOₓ, soot, and aerosols, thus reducing contrail formation and other warming effects.
  Eg: Contrails contribute to ~60% of aviation’s warming effect, which SAF can significantly reduce.
• Feedstock Diversity & Sustainability: SAF can be produced from UCO, MSW, algae, and agricultural waste, enabling circular economy models.
  Eg: Feedstock like sugarcane bagasse and rice husks are abundant in India, offering domestic sourcing advantages.
• Energy Security and Import Diversification: SAF reduces aviation’s dependence on volatile crude oil markets.
• Job Creation and Rural Income Support: SAF production creates green jobs and adds value to agricultural waste.
  Eg: SAF manufacturing plants can generate employment and improve rural incomes via feedstock supply chains.
• Global Market Opportunity: India can potentially manufacture 40 million tonnes of SAF by 2050, positioning it as a major exporter.
  Eg: With abundant biomass, India can leverage SAF demand in markets like the EU, under ReFuelEU blending mandates.

Key Challenges in Large-Scale SAF Adoption

• High Production Costs: SAF costs 2–3 times more than traditional jet fuel, making adoption costly for airlines.
  Eg: Without subsidies or policy support, airlines may shift the burden to passengers, reducing affordability.
• Underdeveloped Infrastructure: SAF production, storage, blending, and transportation systems are still nascent in India.
  Eg: SAF requires new supply chains distinct from those of ATF, especially for rural biomass processing.
• Feedstock Availability & Sustainability: Seasonal availability and environmental risks of overexploitation threaten SAF’s viability.
  Eg: Overdependence on food-based feedstocks can affect food security and biodiversity.
• Lack of Uniform Policy Support: India’s SAF policy is evolving but lacks the strong mandates seen in the EU.
  Eg: Unlike ReFuelEU’s 70% SAF mandate by 2050, India currently targets only 5% by 2030.
• Low Industry Awareness & Investment: Airlines and oil companies have been slow to invest in SAF research and blending infrastructure.
  Eg: Private sector participation remains limited due to lack of guaranteed market demand or financial incentives.
• Lifecycle Environmental Concerns: Unsustainable feedstock or improper processing could reduce SAF’s environmental benefits.
  Eg: Deforestation or monoculture cultivation for feedstock can offset emissions savings.
  

Way Forward for India in Alignment with Global Initiatives

• Set Progressive Blending Mandates: Implement clear blending targets aligned with CORSIA and ReFuelEU while respecting national circumstances.
  Eg: India’s target of 5% SAF blending by 2030 can be scaled up to 15% by 2040, using domestic biomass.
• Incentivise Private Sector Investment: Offer tax breaks, viability gap funding, and low-interest loans to producers and airlines adopting SAF.
  Eg: Use models like the World Economic Forum’s “Clean Skies for Tomorrow” financing framework.
• Adopt Feedstock Sustainability Standards: Ensure feedstock sourcing does not impact food security, biodiversity, or water use.
  Eg: Establish national SAF certification aligned with ICAO’s sustainability criteria.
• Enhance R&D and Innovation: Promote indigenous technology development for PtL fuels, RFNBOs, and waste-to-SAF methods.
  Eg: SAF innovation labs and public-private R&D platforms can accelerate cost reduction and efficiency.
• Leverage Global Biofuel Alliances: Use the Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA) launched in G20 India 2023 to coordinate international cooperation.
  Eg: GBA can help align India’s SAF roadmap with best practices in Europe and North America.
• Build Public Awareness and Airline Readiness: Launch campaigns to promote SAF benefits and ensure consumer buy-in.
  Eg: Airlines can promote “green flights” with SAF use, offering carbon-neutral travel options.

Conclusion

SAF offers a near-term, scalable solution to decarbonise aviation. For India, it presents not just an environmental imperative but also an economic opportunity to emerge as a global leader in sustainable aviation—provided the country adopts an inclusive policy, strengthens infrastructure, and aligns its ambitions with global frameworks like CORSIA and ReFuelEU.

DOWNLOAD PDF