Indonesia's Path to Carbon Neutrality: Challenges and Opportunities in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Development

Jakarta, INTI – The increasing reality of climate change is forcing various industries to seek sustainable solutions to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. One of the most widely recognized key solutions today is Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). As a country with a rapidly growing aviation industry, Indonesia is committed to leading the development and use of SAF to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

SAF: The Key to the Future of International Aviation

In recent years, SAF has become a major topic in global discussions about the future of aviation. SAF is produced from renewable feedstocks such as organic waste and plants, making it more environmentally friendly compared to conventional fossil fuels. With the potential to reduce emissions by up to 80%, SAF is seen as the most realistic solution to help the aviation industry meet global emissions reduction targets.

At the international level, SAF has received broad support from various countries and organizations, including the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Dida Gardera, Deputy for Food and Agribusiness Coordination at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, emphasized that Indonesia has tremendous potential to become a leader in SAF development in Asia.

"Indonesia has abundant natural resources and a large aviation market. This gives us a unique opportunity to lead in the development and implementation of SAF in the Asia Pacific region," said Deputy Dida in his presentation at the "2024 ICAO APAC Regional Seminar on Environment" in Bangkok, Thailand.

Opportunities for SAF Development in Indonesia

As the world's largest producer of palm oil, Indonesia has extensive access to the feedstocks needed for SAF production. In 2023, Indonesia produced about 3.9 million tons of used cooking oil (UCO), which is one of the main feedstocks for SAF production. In addition, Indonesia plans to produce 238 million liters of SAF per year by 2026, making it one of the largest SAF producers in the world.

Deputy Dida also mentioned that Indonesia has 251 operational airports and 50 new airports in the planning stages. "With this rapidly developing infrastructure, we have a great opportunity to make Indonesia a hub for SAF production and distribution in the region," he added.

Challenges Faced in SAF Development

However, despite its great potential, SAF development in Indonesia is not without challenges. One of the biggest challenges is the high production costs compared to conventional fossil fuels. In addition, inadequate infrastructure is also a major barrier to widespread SAF development.

"SAF development requires significant investment in technology and infrastructure. Governments, industries, and financial institutions need to work together to address these challenges and ensure that SAF is widely accessible and affordable," explained Deputy Dida.

In addition, feedstock limitations are also an important issue that needs to be addressed. Although Indonesia has great potential in UCO production, feedstock diversification is needed to ensure the sustainability of SAF production in the long term.

Global Collaboration for a Sustainable Future

In an effort to overcome these challenges, Deputy Dida emphasized the importance of global collaboration between governments, industries, and the international community. "Collaboration is key to overcoming the challenges faced in SAF development. By working together, we can accelerate the development of the necessary technology and ensure that SAF can make a significant contribution to global emissions reduction," he said.

SAF Trials and Implementation in Indonesia

Indonesia has conducted several SAF trials in recent years with very positive results. One of the most recent trials was conducted in 2023 using a Garuda Boeing 737-800, which showed that SAF has performance equivalent to conventional fossil fuels. This gives great hope for the widespread implementation of SAF in commercial aviation in the future.

In addition, Indonesia is also exploring the use of Palm Kernel Expeller (PKE) as a SAF feedstock. PKE, a by-product of palm oil production, has great potential to be converted into bioethanol, which can then be used as a SAF feedstock. With PKE production reaching 6 million tons per year, Deputy Dida proposed that PKE be included in the list of recognized SAF feedstocks by CORSIA (Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation).

"The use of PKE as a SAF feedstock will not only enhance Indonesia's competitiveness in the global market but also contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions," he said.

Realizing Indonesia's Vision of Carbon Neutrality

The ICAO seminar in Bangkok was an opportunity for Indonesia to demonstrate its commitment to SAF development and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. With full support from the government, industry, and the international community, Deputy Dida is optimistic that Indonesia can become a leader in the development and implementation of SAF in the Asia region.

"We have everything we need to achieve this goal: resources, markets, and commitment. Now is the time to act and realize Indonesia's vision for a greener and more sustainable aviation future," Deputy Dida concluded.