Is Singapore Ready for Sustainable Aviation Fuel?

Air travel has been a key element in connecting people across the globe. However, this connection comes with a price: greenhouse gas emissions. With how useful and practical air travel is, it is necessary for the aviation industry to transform and decarbonize. In this light, Singapore has completed a pilot program to test the country’s supply and adoption readiness of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for a more sustainable aviation industry.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)

The International Energy Agency revealed that the aviation industry emitted 800 million tons of carbon in 2022, accounting for 2% of global energy-related carbon emissions that year.

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) could reduce emissions by around 65%. There is a growing demand for it, and several countries have begun developing and adopting SAF.

Simply put, Sustainable Aviation Fuel is renewable aviation fuel. It can be produced from forestry and agricultural waste, used cooking oil, or green hydrogen. The entire value chain of SAF, including sourcing and producing, should not harm any environmental or social aspects.

Singapore’s SAF Pilot Program

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), GenZero, and Singapore Airlines (SIA) commenced the 20-month SAF pilot program in February 2022. At completion, Singapore claims to be operationally ready to supply Sustainable Aviation Fuel, with more support needed for adoption.

In terms of operational readiness, the pilot program concluded that Singapore’s Changi Airport requires no modification to its infrastructure for the safe deployment of SAF. The end-to-end process included procurement, blending of neat SAF with conventional jet fuel in local facilities, safety certification, and delivery.

Additionally, the pilot program tested SAF credit generation. These SAF credits were generated through a trusted platform, Book & Claim System by the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB).

GenZero CEO Frederick Teo explained, “This allowed us to develop the methodology and processes needed to test the extent to which corporates were willing to offset their travel emissions. It provided useful insights on how we can crowd in additional carbon financing to offset the price premium and support the adoption of SAF.”

Toward Sustainable Aviation Industry

With about two-thirds of the 1,000 credits generated sold, the pilot program showcased enough market demand for SAF. However, more is needed for wide-scale SAF adoption. Outreach, education, and policy support from the government are several ways to support the transition toward a sustainable aviation industry with Sustainable Aviation Fuel.

The lessons learned from this pilot program will aid the development of the Singapore Sustainable Air Hub Blueprint. CAAS Director-General Han Kok Juan said, “CAAS is developing a structural offtake mechanism to support SAF adoption. This will take into account developments elsewhere in the world, including discussions at the upcoming third International Civil Aviation Organization Conference on Aviation and Alternative Fuels.”

Nazalea Kusuma

Managing Editor at Green Network Asia | Website | + posts

Naz is the Manager of International Digital Publications at Green Network Asia. She is an experienced and passionate writer, editor, proofreader, translator, and creative designer with over a decade of portfolio. Her history of living in multiple areas across Southeast Asia and studying Urban and Regional Planning exposed her to diverse peoples and cultures, enriching her perspectives and sharpening her intersectionality mindset in her storytelling and advocacy on sustainability-related issues and sustainable development.