US, India join hands to explore SAF development

The United States and India have announced a new partnership to accelerate the development and deployment of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).  This collaboration aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the aviation sector and promote cleaner, more sustainable air travel.

Both countries made a joint statement following the recent Strategic Clean Energy Partnership (SCEP) Ministerial meeting in Washington DC. U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and Indian Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri discussed the importance of SAF in achieving their shared climate goals. The two countries agreed to work together on a range of activities, including:

• Research and Development: Conducting joint research on SAF technologies and production methods.
• Tax Incentives: Exploring tax incentives and other policy measures to support the production and use of SAF.
• Supply Chain Development: Building a robust supply chain for SAF, including capacity building and infrastructure development.
• Market Development: Promoting the adoption of SAF in the aviation industry through market development initiatives.
• Financing Opportunities: Identifying and facilitating financing options for SAF projects.
• Fuel Certification: Developing and implementing standards for SAF certification.
• International Collaboration: Building regional and international coalitions to support the global adoption of SAF.

The partnership also includes the development of two joint reports on SAF and biofuels under the Biofuels Task Force.

India has shown its willingness to increase the adoption of SAF to help decarbonise the aviation sector also establish a domestic SAF production base using the country’s enormous feedstock potential.