Government panel sets indicative targets for blending sustainable aviation fuel in ATF

Subject: Environment

Section: Sustainable Aviation

Context: Govt panel sets indicative targets for blending sustainable aviation fuel in ATF from 2027

More about the news:

The National Biofuel Coordination Committee (NBCC) in India has set initial indicative targets for blending sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) with aviation turbine fuel (ATF).
The approved targets are 1% SAF indicative blending in ATF for international flights in 2027 and 2% SAF blending target in 2028 for international flights.
The decision aligns with the mandatory phase of the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), effective from 2027.
CORSIA requires airlines globally to offset any growth in carbon dioxide emissions beyond 2020 levels.
The NBCC is an inter-ministerial panel overseeing India’s biofuels program.

What is the ATF and SAF:

Jet fuel, also known as aviation turbine fuel (ATF), is formulated specifically for use in aircraft equipped with gas-turbine engines.
ATF is composed of a diverse mixture of hydrocarbons.
Due to the broad range of petroleum sources, defining jet fuel as a specific ratio of hydrocarbons is not feasible.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is an environmentally friendly alternative produced from sustainable feedstocks.
Its chemical composition closely resembles that of conventional ATF derived from crude oil.
Notably, SAF boasts a considerably lower carbon footprint compared to traditional ATF.

What is the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO):

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that coordinates the principles and techniques of international air navigation.
It was established in 1947.
Its headquarters are situated in Quebec, Canada.
The organization plays a crucial role in fostering the planning and development of international air transport to ensure safe and orderly growth.

What is the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA):

CORSIA is a worldwide market-based initiative that aims to counterbalance global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from international aviation, seeking to maintain emission levels.
This initiative is not applicable to domestic aviation and mandates airlines globally to compensate for any increase in carbon dioxide emissions beyond the 2020 levels.
To achieve emission offsetting, airplane operators will acquire and cancel emissions units from the global carbon market.
In 2018, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) adopted Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) to implement CORSIA within the framework of the Convention on International Civil Aviation.

What is the National Biofuel Coordination Committee (NBCC)

NBCC was constituted in 1960 under the Chairmanship of Minister, Petroleum & Natural Gas to provide overall coordination, effective end-to-end implementation and monitoring of biofuel programmes.
NBCC has been active in the implementation of many projects in areas such as Institutional, Housing, Industrial and Environmental, Transportation, Power, etc.
Various public welfare projects have also been undertaken and completed by the business, though not using CSR money.