Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, is seen to ramp up flights powered by sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) as the region has enough input to supply 12 percent of global demand for the jet fuel that emits less carbon, according to a study by aircraft manufacturer Boeing.
The study estimated that the region could produce about 45.7 million metric tons of SAF per year by 2050, coinciding with the year when the commercial aviation industry targets to achieve its “net-zero” emission goal.
In SAF production, bio-based feedstocks are required as input. These include rice husks and straws, cassava and sugarcane.
READ: IATA sees rise in sustainable aviation fuel production in 2024
The feedstocks of Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia account for about 90 percent of the region’s SAF supply capacity.
Fossil fuel-free SAF is deemed environment-friendly because it can reduce carbon emission by up to 84 percent.
It is estimated that aviation makes up more than 2 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions.
“With regional governments and industry working together on sustainability polices and infrastructure investment, scaling local production and building a regional SAF capability provides Southeast Asia an exciting opportunity to help shape a more sustainable future of flight while protecting its environment and growing its economy,” said Sharmine Tan, Boeing regional sustainability lead for Southeast Asia.
Local airlines have been making moves to make their operations sustainable.
Cebu Pacific, for example, signed a memorandum of understanding with Shell Aviation to supply 25,000 metric tons of SAF annually for five years beginning 2026.
The Gokongwei-led airline is also working on having an all-neo (new engine option) fleet by 2028. A neo aircraft uses 20 percent less fuel.
Philippine Airlines (PAL), meanwhile, is among the airlines that vowed to achieve net zero by 2050. It recently deployed a digital solution that supports its fuel-saving initiative.
PAL also tapped the expertise of climate scientists and science diplomat Glenn Banaguas, president and founder of the Environmental and Climate Change Research Institute, in developing a green strategy.