KPMG India Highlights Unified Strategy for Sustainable Aviation Fuel Deployment

India’s Push Toward Sustainable Aviation Fuel

The aviation sector worldwide is under increasing pressure to reduce its carbon footprint, and India is no exception. In response, KPMG India emphasizes the critical need for a comprehensive and coordinated strategy to scale the adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in the country. With India poised to become the world’s third-largest aviation market in the near future, embracing SAF is seen as a central component to achieving national environmental goals and securing energy independence.

India’s aviation growth trajectory offers both immense opportunities and challenges. Currently, aviation accounts for roughly 2–3% of global CO₂ emissions, a figure that may rise without significant intervention. In a country with a strong agricultural foundation, the potential to produce SAF could position India as a global leader in this emerging sector.

Key Obstacles Standing in the Way

The expansion of SAF usage in India faces three main hurdles:

• Feedstock availability: Despite ample agricultural resources, a streamlined and cohesive supply chain for SAF feedstock is lacking.
• Production scalability: The current industrial setup needs expansion to meet the anticipated demand.
• Cost challenges: SAF must reach cost parity with traditional jet fuel to encourage widespread adoption.

Without addressing these concerns, the goal of energy security and emission reduction remains elusive.

Policy and Financial Mechanisms to Accelerate Adoption

A mix of policy reforms and innovative financial instruments is essential to overcome existing barriers. Recommendations include:

• Implementing targeted fiscal incentives for SAF producers and users.
• Introducing long-term offtake agreements that guarantee demand for SAF.
• Establishing mandatory blending mandates to integrate SAF with conventional fuels.
• Creating carbon credit markets to reward sustainable practices and mitigate investment risks.

These financial and regulatory steps help reduce uncertainty, encouraging private sector investment and cooperation among key stakeholders such as airlines, refiners, and regulators.

Learning from Global Leaders

Countries like those in the European Union and the United States have paved the way by pioneering mandates and subsidies supporting SAF production. Their experience offers valuable insights for India, particularly in fostering regional production hubs and developing robust supply chains.

Innovative Technologies and Strategic Partnerships

Technological advancement will play a crucial role in the SAF ecosystem. Promising methods include hydrogenated esters and fatty acids (HEFA), alcohol-to-jet processes, and Fischer-Tropsch pathways. Collaboration between refineries, academic institutions, and global technology providers is necessary to localize these technologies effectively and foster knowledge transfer.

With growing momentum, innovation in production processes could not only increase efficiency but also reduce environmental impacts, aligning well with broader sustainability goals.

Financing the Future of Sustainable Aviation

The bio-refining industry, given its capital-intensive nature, requires innovative financing solutions. Instruments such as green bonds, climate-focused funds, and blended finance models may stimulate growth by attracting institutional investors. Public-private partnerships are poised to be vital in scaling this sector rapidly.

India’s Aviation Infrastructure and Sustainable Initiatives

India’s civil aviation sector has undergone notable reforms, including liberalization policies that encourage private participation and infrastructure modernization. These efforts support the development of sustainable practices, such as those outlined in initiatives like the “Green Airports” framework promoted by the Civil Aviation Ministry.

Infrastructure growth — highlighted by the modernization of multiple airports and the rise of low-cost carriers — is increasing the pressure on resources but also creating openings to embed sustainability into the aviation supply chain.

Table: SAF Adoption Bottlenecks and Recommended Measures

Historical Context and Future Outlook for Sustainable Aviation

The use of biofuels in aviation is not a new concept, but its mainstream adoption is accelerating due to growing environmental concerns and advancements in technology. Early experiments focused on supplementing fossil fuels with renewable alternatives, often derived from plants such as jatropha or waste products like used cooking oil.

Several airlines worldwide have tested flights with significant biofuel blends, discovering that advances in sustainable fuels can be integrated without major changes to existing aircraft or fuel infrastructure. However, the debate about land use and food security persists, underscoring the importance of carefully sourcing biofuel feedstock to avoid negative ecological or social impacts.

Looking ahead, as aviation rebounds post-pandemic and sustainability regulations tighten globally, the expansion of SAF production and use will be crucial for countries aiming to remain competitive in an environmentally conscious market.

SAF’s Role in India’s Tourism and Aviation Markets

India’s vast and diverse tourism industry — including beach and lake destinations where boating and sailing activities flourish — stands to benefit from cleaner aviation fuels. Reducing carbon emissions in air travel complements sustainable tourism trends, contributing to cleaner air in popular marinas and waterfronts.

Improved sustainability in aviation can enhance destination appeal, complementing marine activities such as yacht chartering and fishing tours by preserving the natural environment both on land and water.

Conclusion: Steering India’s Aviation Toward a Cleaner Horizon

India’s ambition to lead in Sustainable Aviation Fuel production hangs on the joint efforts of policy makers, investors, industry players, and technology innovators. Overcoming the challenges of feedstock, production scale, and cost will require multi-stakeholder coordination backed by robust policies and innovative financing mechanisms.

By learning from global precedents and leveraging its agricultural strengths, India can build regional SAF hubs, strengthening its aviation sector’s sustainability and competitiveness. As the demand for sustainable travel experiences grows, this shift will support a cleaner, greener future for both air travel and related tourism activities that rely on pristine environments, such as sailing, boating, and coastal leisure.

For those passionate about marine tourism and looking to explore destinations by sea, services like GetBoat.com offer access to an international marketplace of sailing boats and yachts that cater to all tastes and budgets. Embracing sustainable aviation fuels both supports and complements the journey to these water-based adventures, creating a more responsible travel ecosystem.