The Future of Greener Aviation: Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) as the Key Solution to Reducing CO2 Emissions

Jakarta, INTI – International aviation, long known as a significant contributor to carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, now has new hope in its efforts to reduce emissions through the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). This innovative fuel is increasingly recognized as a key solution for mitigating the environmental impact of the aviation industry. In the pursuit of global emissions reduction targets, active participation from all stakeholders, including governments, fuel producers, aircraft manufacturers, airlines, airports, investors, and financial institutions, is essential.

SAF: A New Hope for Low-Emission Aviation

SAF is an alternative fuel produced from renewable feedstocks such as plant waste and industrial by-products. This fuel has great potential to reduce CO2 emissions in aviation by up to 80% compared to conventional fossil fuels. With increasing global pressure to curb greenhouse gas emissions, SAF is considered a key solution to help the aviation industry achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), global demand for SAF is expected to increase sharply in the coming decades. This is why many countries, including Indonesia, are starting to focus their efforts on the development and use of SAF.

Indonesia's Role in SAF Development

As the world's largest producer of palm oil, Indonesia has tremendous potential to become a leader in SAF production. Dida Gardera, Deputy for Food and Agribusiness Coordination at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, revealed that Indonesia plans to produce 238 million liters of SAF per year by 2026. This is supported by Indonesia's used cooking oil (UCO) production capacity, which reached 3.9 million tons in 2023, making it one of the main feedstocks for SAF production.

"Indonesia has a large aviation market with 251 existing airports and 50 new airports in planning. This is a great opportunity for Indonesia to become a hub for SAF production and use in Asia," Deputy Dida explained during his presentation at the "2024 ICAO APAC Regional Seminar on Environment" in Bangkok, Thailand.

Benefits and Challenges of SAF Use

Deputy Dida explained that SAF offers various benefits, especially in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting the energy transition towards cleaner sources. However, the commercial use of SAF still faces several challenges, including limited feedstock availability, high production costs, and inadequate infrastructure.

"SAF development requires full support from all stakeholders, including governments, industries, and the international community. Close cooperation and sufficient investment in technology and infrastructure will be key to realizing the full potential of SAF," added Deputy Dida.

SAF Trials in Indonesia: Toward Environmentally Friendly Aviation

Indonesia has been conducting SAF trials since 2020 with promising results. One of the most recent trials took place in the third quarter of 2023 using a Garuda Boeing 737-800 aircraft. The trial results showed no difference in performance between SAF and conventional fossil fuels, indicating that SAF could be a viable alternative for commercial aviation.

In addition, Indonesia is also exploring the potential use of Palm Kernel Expeller (PKE) as a SAF feedstock. PKE, a by-product of the palm oil extraction process, has great potential to be converted into bioethanol, which can then be used as a SAF feedstock. With a potential PKE production of 6 million tons per year, Indonesia is in the process of proposing PKE as a SAF feedstock in the CORSIA list.

"This is a strategic move that could enhance Indonesia's competitiveness in the global market while contributing to global emissions reduction efforts," said Deputy Dida.

Indonesia's Commitment to Global Emissions Reduction

The ICAO seminar in Bangkok was a crucial moment for Indonesia to reaffirm its commitment to SAF development and global emissions reduction efforts. With support from the government, industry, and the international community, SAF is expected to play a key role in the future of more sustainable aviation.

"Indonesia is ready to lead in the development and implementation of SAF. With the strategic steps we have taken, we are optimistic that SAF will be a key solution in addressing the challenges of climate change in the future," Deputy Dida concluded.