Sustainable Aviation Fuel to Cut CO2 Emissions Up to 80%

The Ministry of Civil Aviation, in collaboration with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and supported by the European Union, has officially launched the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Feasibility Study for India.

The event, held at Udaan Bhawan in New Delhi, was addressed by prominent leaders including Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, Secretary of Civil Aviation Samir Kumar Sinha, Director General of Civil Aviation Faiz Ahmed, and Jane Hupe, Deputy Director Environment, Air Transport Bureau, ICAO.

Assessing India’s Readiness for Sustainable Aviation Fuel

The feasibility study, carried out under ICAO’s ACT-SAF Programme, examines the potential for producing and utilising drop-in SAF within India. Key areas of assessment include domestic feedstock availability, viable production pathways, necessary infrastructure, and policy readiness.

By integrating global best practices with India’s unique socio-economic and environmental context, the report outlines a strategic roadmap to establish a robust domestic SAF market.

A two-day workshop accompanying the launch brought together stakeholders from ICAO, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), industry participants, and multiple government departments, demonstrating a unified whole-of-government approach towards sustainable aviation development.

Government Commitment and Strategic Targets

Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu highlighted SAF’s crucial role in decarbonising India’s aviation sector. The Minister stated, “SAF is a practical and immediate solution to decarbonise the aviation sector, with the potential to cut lifecycle CO2 emissions by up to 80 percent compared to conventional fuel”.

He reiterated India’s ambitious blending targets – aiming for 1percent SAF blending by 2027, 2 percent by 2028, and 5 percent by 2030 – in line with the global Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) mandate.

The Minister pointed to India’s abundant biomass resources, including over 750 million metric tonnes of available biomass and nearly 230 million metric tonnes of surplus agricultural residue, to meet its domestic SAF demand and even emerge as an exporter.

Milestones and Economic Benefits

Naidu commended critical progress made so far, such as the designation of COTECNA Inspection India as the country’s first SAF certification body and the certification of Indian Oil Corporation’s Panipat Refinery as India’s first SAF producer.

He underscored that SAF production will contribute significantly to reducing India’s crude oil imports and cutting emissions by 20-25 million tonnes annually.

88 Airports Transitioned to Green Energy Usage

Secretary of Civil Aviation Samir Kumar Sinha highlighted that India operates one of the youngest and most fuel-efficient aircraft fleets globally and that 88 airports have transitioned entirely to green energy usage, setting exemplary standards.

Director General of Civil Aviation Faiz Ahmed noted that India is currently the world’s third-largest aviation market, with passenger traffic expected to double to 500 million by 2030. He lauded the SAF Feasibility Study as a critical tool that will provide strategic insights necessary to shape India’s national SAF policy framework, ensuring aviation growth aligns with sustainability goals.