SAF goal is challenging, but the Naysayers’ “Impossible” is myopic
The Biden Administration has set rigorous, but necessary, aviation sustainability goals of producing THREE BILLION GALLONS of Sustainable Fuel, Reduce Aviation Emissions by 20% by 2030, as an interim target and the ultimate objective–a fully zero-carbon aviation sector by 2050. Two recent articles’ headlines reflect positive progress toward that aspirational end, but within one section of the first report interjects the famous Spiro T. Agnew quote directed to the press “nattering nabobs of negativism.”
Context for the discussion
- RTX test shows that SAF works and is GREEN – JDA Journal
- BRAZIL’S GREEN AVIATION INNOVATION’S AWARD – JDA Journal
- More SAF feedstocks = cheaper green fuel? – JDA Journal
Add to those points of upward movement, the California Air Resources Board, an organization with strong environmental credentials, the State of California and Airlines for America have signed an agreement. They jointly will strive toward the airline increasing their reliance on SAF tenfold – 200 million gallons of such fuels by 2035. The participants estimated that the target will be about 40 percent of travel demand within the California.
Objectives are directional, but steps towards that destination really move the project. California, CARB and A4A set the following as immediate actions—“identify, assess and prioritize necessary policy measures, such as incentivizing relevant investments and streamlining the permitting processes.” Their progress will be closely monitored.
The other good green news [2nd article] is from MALAYSIA—a likely program between that nation and the US to convert palm oil waste into SAF. In 2022, the Malay gross domestic product from palm oil was estimated to be 36 billion Malaysian ringgit (U$8,272,800,000) and the “waste” is already a byproduct of this crop. Malaysia is one of the world’s leading producers of palm oil, and the palm oil industry is a significant contributor to the Malaysian agricultural sector. Palm oil is world’s most widely used edible oil.
The Embassy also recalled instructive actions that the US has taken to help this partner nation to reap the rewards of this green enterprise.
The Malaysian government has committed a substantial portion of its budget to increasing palm oil-to-SAF production. According to local experts, the Region Capable [Of IS} Producing 500 Tonne Of SAF By 2050.
Return to the California article [see RED box below] in which a myopic attack is made focusing only on American sources. Experts opine “that sustainable aviation fuel is anything but sustainable, since plant-based fuel sourcing can require the diversion of valuable lands away from crop cultivation and thereby increase emissions…The World Resources Institute noted that 1.7 gallons of corn ethanol are required to make 1 gallon of sustainable aviation fuel — necessitating corn acreage expansion that could jeopardize forests and grasslands.”
Looking beyond our borders could both help the economy of Malaysia and help the American environment. The above quote may reflect a quick thoughtless quip and/or maybe even an aviation animus.
California inks sustainable aviation fuel deal with major airlines
by Sharon Udasin – 10/31/24 12:31 PM ET
California signed an agreement Wednesday with the country’s leading passenger and cargo airlines to accelerate the use of SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUELS across the state.
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) and Airlines for America (A4A) — an industry trade group representing almost a dozen airlines — pledged to increase the availability of sustainable aviation fuels statewide.
Sustainable aviation fuels — lower-carbon alternatives to petroleum-based jet fuels — are typically made from nonpetroleum feedstocks, such as biomass or waste.
At a San Francisco International Airport ceremony Wednesday, the partners committed to using 200 million gallons of such fuels by 2035 — an amount estimated to meet about 40 percent of travel demand within the state at that point, according to CARB.
That quantity also represents a more than tenfold increase from current usage levels of these fuels, the agency added.
“This is a major step forward in our work to cut pollution, protect our communities, and build a future of cleaner air and innovative climate solutions,” Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) said in a statement.
Among A4A member airlines are Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Atlas Air Worldwide, Delta Air Lines, FedEx, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines and UPS, while Air Canada is an associate member.
To achieve the 2035 goals, CARB and A4A said they plan to work together to identify, assess and prioritize necessary policy measures, such as incentivizing relevant investments and streamlining the permitting processes.
A Sustainable Aviation Fuel Working Group, which will include government and industry stakeholders, will meet annually to both discuss progress and address barriers toward meeting these goals, the partners added.
A public website will display updated information about the availability and use of conventional and sustainable fuels across California, while also providing details about state policies, according to the agreement.
“We’ve put the tools in place to incentivize cleaner fuels and spur innovation, creating opportunities like this to radically change how Californians can travel cleaner,” Newsom said.
Kevin Welsh, chief sustainability officer for A4A, stressed the importance of this government-private sector partnership, which he described as “necessary to achieve ambitious climate goals.”
This effort will help support the “industry’s efforts to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050,” he added, referring to a 2021 resolution passed by the International Air Transport Association.
Like the U.S. airline industry, the federal government has also mounted a push for the integration of sustainable aviation fuel — OFFERING TAX CREDITS for its use via the Inflation Reduction Act.
The agreement signed Wednesday, however, expressed a commitment to “ensuring the sustainability and environmental integrity of feedstocks” by prioritizing the use wastes and residues in these power sources.
“This partnership with the nation’s leading airlines brings the aviation industry onboard to advance a clean air future,” CARB Chair Liane Randolph said in a statement.
The agreement, Randolph added, will accelerate the “development of sustainable fuel options and promote cleaner air travel within the state.”
Sunday, 27 Oct 2024 10:22 AM MYT
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 27 — “The United States is keen to explore climate change partnerships with Malaysia, focusing on sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) in its pursuit to cut down carbon emissions and achieve a clean, green climate-resilient future.
The intention to work together, which is part of Washington’s broader climate initiatives, follows the passage of the US’ 2022 climate funding bill and the Inflation Reduction Act, which includes a tax credit for SAF, Dave Williams, the Economic Counsellor at the US embassy in Kuala Lumpur, said today.
He said to this end, America’s Departments of Energy, Agriculture and Transportation have pledged to work together to increase the development and use of SAF.
This is a critical tool for decarbonising air travel, alluding to its aim of reducing greenhouse gases compared with petroleum-based jet fuels.
“Hence, we hope Malaysia can leverage new technologies and commercialisation efforts for SAF, and we welcome Malaysia’s efforts in this area,” he said in response to questions posed by Bernama.
According to news reports, commercial aviation is responsible for 2 to 3 per cent of global carbon emissions and the percentage is expected to increase further with the commercial airline industry’s recovery after the Covid-19 pandemic now in full swing.
Against these challenges, he said that the US values its partnership with Malaysia in meeting their shared climate goals.
Williams cited how in recent years, the US embassy had organised several climate-focused workshops and arranged study tours to the US for Malaysian officials.
The aim was for them to learn cutting-edge American technologies and programmes and facilitate participation in climate-centric events under technical assistance frameworks.
He said that fighting the climate crisis has been a top priority for the US government.
“According to the 2022 US National Security Strategy, the climate crisis is the ‘existential challenge of our time’,” he said.
He said climate issues already affect nearly every aspect of US foreign policy and national security and that it will continue to shape geopolitics for decades.
“The United States is taking historic action and working with partners globally, including Malaysia, to address the crisis,” he said.
For the US, he expressed the hope the Inflation Reduction Act would incentivise and accelerate the adoption of cleaner, greener technologies to help achieve net zero goals.
In terms of enhancing safety and security regionally and globally, Williams said the US works closely with the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) and the Ministry of Transport on aviation safety.
“Most recently, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) executive assistant administrator Melanie Harvey — the third highest ranking person at TSA, visited Malaysia to discuss aviation safety and tour the KL International Airport,” he said. — Bernama”
