The Department of Energy (DOE) in the Philippines is working closely with the country’s aviation sector and international partners to promote the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). SAF is an environmentally sustainable and chemically identical alternative to fossil fuel-based aviation fuel.
One potential feedstock for SAF in the Philippines is coconut oil, which is currently used for biodiesel production. The adoption of SAF aims to reduce the carbon footprint associated with aviation operations while maintaining high safety and performance standards.
The DOE is committed to establishing the necessary framework and regulations to support the adoption of SAF in order to contribute to the broader national efforts towards a low-carbon future. One initiative in this direction is the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). CORSIA provides a harmonized way to reduce emissions from international aviation.
Under CORSIA, participating ICAO member states, including the Philippines, are mandated to comply with CO2 offsetting requirements by 2024-2026, with mandatory compliance set for 2027-2035. The use of SAF derived from biomass or waste resources can help airlines meet these offsetting requirements.
To prepare for CORSIA’s compliance by 2027, a stakeholders meeting was held earlier this year involving the DOE, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC), and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Discussions centered around the potential benefits of exploring SAF in the country.
EASA has also prepared a proposal to evaluate the readiness of the Philippines for SAF, which is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Collaboration between the DOE, aviation sector, and international partners paves the way for a more sustainable aviation transport sector in the Philippines.
Source: Philippine News Agency (PNA)