Indian Aviation industry needs more efficient measures to achieve its sustainability goals

According to a CEEW report, domestic air travel is set to dominate India's CO2 emissions in 2050 due to the high emission intensity of air travel and zero direct emissions of the electrified road transport sector which is expected to reach a market share of 75% during the same period.

The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has identified four areas where we must act to enable sustainable growth of aviation and address climate change.

First, technology. We need to reduce energy use and introduce advanced airframes and engines.

Second is air traffic management and operations. Airports and airlines need to figure out greener options, be it direct routing or gliding around to a landing.

Third, use market-based measures such as carbon offsetting and reduction schemes.

Fourth, but most crucial of all, is the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuels, which could result in up to 80% reduction in CO2 emissions.

Alternative energy sources in aviation

Over the next three decades, there is a huge opportunity to introduce alternative energy sources in the aviation industry. There are various sustainable energy options available today: Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs), LH2 Direct Combustion, H2 Fuel Cells, and, Battery Electric are some of the key ones. With small aircraft for regional and short-haul flights, there are new market opportunities to use Electric sources of energy.

SAF is the most immediate and largest potential solution. No technical approval is required for blended SAF usage on Boeing airplanes and no changes are required for aircraft or engines to utilize this energy source. Its cultivation and production have a smaller carbon footprint than traditional jet fuel and it impacts a broader sustainability scale as its feedstock does not cannibalize food production, use excess water, lead to incremental land clearing or deforestation, nor affect soil fertility and biodiversity.

India, a source of feedstock

India can be a significant hub for SAF feedstock. According to experts at the WEF’s Clean Skies for Tomorrow initiative, 166 million tons of feedstock is available each year, derived from cooking oil, municipal solid waste, sugar streams, and agricultural residues. These can yield more than 22 million tons of SAF annually. By plugging the global supply chain with lower cost and abundant feedstock for SAF, India could solve one of the world’s most challenging problems.

While the prohibitive cost of SAF, 200-500% more expensive, continues to spur debate, the much-discussed goal of carrying 100 million passengers in India on at least 10% SAF by 2030 would mean a cost difference of $335 million. A close collaboration of the government with the aviation industry and entrepreneurs could help us achieve this goal.

Per seat cost may not be high 

Last year the Wall Street Journal published an article about Sustainable Aviation Fuel where it mentioned that the International Air Transport Association has factored the cost of SAF per seat to be about the cost of a soda or snack in the food court before getting on a domestic flight. A long-haul flight is a meal before you board your flight. The reality per seat isn’t as expensive as we may be attributing to sustainability.

Airlines globally, covering 34% of global passengers and 40% of global RPKs have already committed to a significant proportion of their fuel uplift in 2030 being SAF. We can accelerate this journey through supportive government policies, feedstock diversity, thorough R&D to enable cost competitiveness, supply growth, access to capital for new production, and market-based incentives to make SAF price competitive.