Aviation is a crucial sector for the economic and social development of many countries, including Colombia. However, its environmental impact is significant, with an 80% increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to pre-pandemic levels, which has driven a growing demand for solutions focused on reducing these impacts (IEA, 2023). Internationally, the aviation industry is under increasing pressure to meet sustainability targets; for example, for many companies, moving personnel or cargo by air is part of the Scope 3 of the carbon footprint, and mitigating these GHG emissions is difficult because there are no alternatives, such as aircraft that consume less fuel or that use fuel generating fewer or zero emissions.
This is why, in recent years, research and investment in sustainable fuels for aviation have been driven forward. Sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) are presented as a promising alternative to reduce these emissions (Su-ungkavatin, P. et al, 2023). This is because SAF is produced from renewable sources and non-extensive biomass crops, which minimizes the impact on land and promotes a more sustainable production cycle.
As global benchmarks, the companies LanzaJet and Neste are at the forefront, pioneering the large-scale production of these sustainable fuels. LanzaJet uses an ethanol-to-SAF conversion process, which allows it to efficiently take advantage of available biomass (LanzaJet, 2024). Neste, on the other hand, has established itself as a market leader, producing SAF from oleaginous feedstocks such as different types of oils and fats (Neste, 2023). Both companies play a crucial role in transforming the sector, offering innovative solutions that could change the way we fly in the future, thereby contributing to global aviation sustainability goals.
From a technical and scientific standpoint, measuring the environmental impact of the aviation sector through thecarbon footprint, at scope 3, is crucial. This scope includes all indirect emissions that occur in the supply chain and during fuel use, in this case, the emissions from airlines contracted by companies. Recent studies highlight that the carbon footprint can contribute to the development and strengthening of an effective regulatory framework and guide investments toward cleaner technologies, presenting specific data on the aviation sector’s emissions, which enables decision-making aimed at improving thesustainability of the sector (IRENA, 2021). Nonetheless, the production of this type of biofuel faces several challenges in the Colombian context:
Infrastructure limitations
The supply chain for this type of biofuel requires production, storage, and distribution facilities that have not been developed on a large scale in the country. In addition, the existing infrastructure is often not equipped to process alternative feedstocks, such as oils or biomass from the agricultural sector. This lack of infrastructure not only limits production capacity, but also increases costs and hinders the integration of these fuels into the aviation sector (Martinez-Valencia, L., & Valderrama-Rios, C., 2024).
Availability of biomass-based feedstocks
Another significant challenge is the availability and sustainability of the feedstocks needed to produce sustainable fuels. Crops intended for biofuel production can conflict with other agricultural processes, which can affect the country’s food security. In this context, the traditional use of bioethanol and biodiesel in Colombia, which has focused on crops such as sugarcane and palm oil, offers an important basis for reducing GHG emissions in the use of these biofuels. However, the introduction of SAF can complement this landscape, since it allows the use of non-food feedstocks and organic waste, thereby reducing pressure on crops intended for food. In addition, deforestation and environmental degradation are risks associated with the expansion of crops for fuels. Therefore, it is crucial to develop strategies that balance SAF production with environmental conservation and food security (Boly, M., & Sanou, A., 2022).
Regulation through public policy
Currently, legislation regarding biofuels specifically for sustainable aviation is limited and, in many cases, fragmented; existing regulations only cover biodiesel and bioethanol used in mobile land-based sources (Fedebiocombustibles, 2023). The lack of clear incentives for investment in clean technologies and SAF production can discourage investors and companies in the sector. In addition, it is necessary to establish regulations that promote research and development of innovative technologies, as well as collaboration between the public and private sectors to foster an environment conducive to the growth of this industry. Colombia can take as a reference point the regulatory framework of developed countries that have made significant progress on the matter.
SAF production has the potential to contribute significantly to reducing the aviation sector’s emissions and to help mitigate companies’ carbon footprints. Furthermore, the implementation of sustainable fuels will bring us closer to meeting decarbonization targets.
This, together with the development ofcarbon footprintsin the evaluation of the production and use chain of these sustainable fuels, will make it possible to effectively estimate the impact of these initiatives on reducing GHG emissions. AtCarbonBoxwe invest much of our time in researching new alternatives for emissions reduction and analyzing their quantification.
References
Amjith, L., & Bavanish, B. (2022). A review on biomass and wind as renewable energy for sustainable environment. Chemosphere, 293, 133579. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.133579
Boly, M., & Sanou, A. (2022). Biofuels and food security: Evidence from Indonesia and Mexico. Energy Policy, 163, 112834. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2022.112834
BP. (2022). What is Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF)? Retrieved September 24, 2024, from: https://www.bp.com/en/global/air-bp/news-and-views/views/what-is-sustainable-aviation-fuel-saf-and-why-is-it-important.html
Fedebiocombustibles. (2023). Normatividad de la Agroindustria de los Biocombustibles. Retrieved September 24, 2024, from: https://fedebiocombustibles.com/normatividad/
IEA. (2023). Aviation. Retrieved October 2, 2024, from: https://www.iea.org/energy-system/transport/aviation
IRENA (2021), Reaching Zero with Renewables: Biojet fuels, International Renewable Energy Agency, Abu Dhabi. ISBN 978-92-9260-350-2.
LanzaJet. (2024). Sustainable Fuels. Retrieved October 2, 2024, from https://www.lanzajet.com/sustainable-fuels
López Gómez, M., Posada, J., Silva, V., Martínez, L., Mayorga, A., & Álvarez, O. (2023). Diagnosis of challenges and uncertainties for implementation of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in Colombia, and recommendations to move forward. Energies, 16(15), 5667. https://doi.org/10.3390/en16155667
Martinez-Valencia, L., & Valderrama-Rios, C. (2024). Sustainable aviation fuel production in Colombia: Opportunities and challenges. Washington State University. https://doi.org/10.7273/000006281
Neste. (2023). Sustainable Aviation Fuels - Neste. Retrieved October 2, 2024, from https://www.neste.com/products-and-innovation/sustainable-aviation/sustainable-aviation-fuel
Su-ungkavatin, P., Tiruta-Barna, L., & Hamelin, L. (2023). Biofuels, electrofuels, electric or hydrogen?: A review of current and emerging sustainable aviation systems. Progress in Energy and Combustion Science, 96, 101073. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pecs.2023.101073