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

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• 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.

What is Sustainable Aviation Fuel?

• Sustainable Aviation Fuel 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.

Know more about Biofuels here.

What efforts are being made to promote sustainable aviation fuel?

•  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.

 What are the benefits of Sustainable Aviation Fuel?

• Reduced Carbon Emissions: Sustainable Aviation Fuel 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