Australia has a moment-in-time opportunity to develop a sovereign sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) industry, with domestic demand for jet fuel expected to increase by 75 per cent by 2050, according to the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Roadmap.

Unlike conventional jet fuel, SAF is produced from renewable sources – like agricultural waste, animal fats and vegetable oils – and significantly reduces carbon emissions over the fuel’s lifecycle.

CSIRO and Boeing Australia are building consensus on developing an Australian SAF industry, identifying opportunities to produce and scale production using Australian feedstocks.

CSIRO Senior Manager and lead Roadmap author, Max Temminghoff, said Australia was in a prime position to develop a domestic industry, with enough resources to produce almost 5 billion litres of SAF by 2025.

“This could supply nearly 60 per cent of jet fuel demand projected for that year,” Mr Temminghoff said.

“That’s enough fuel to power 640,000 Melbourne to Sydney return flights on a Boeing 737.

“Through a combination of feedstocks and mature technologies, a large and growing portion of Australia’s jet fuel demand can be met with local materials such as agricultural waste and residues.

“But Australian government, industry and research must work together to overcome key challenges to realise the economic and sustainability benefits of a domestic SAF industry.”

The challenges that the Australian SAF industry must address include feedstock availability, supply chain constraints, and aligning to international standards and regulation.

Boeing Regional Sustainability Lead APAC and Roadmap co-author, Heidi Hauf, said a local SAF industry will contribute to decarbonisation and energy security while also generating more regional jobs and new export markets.

“Currently, Australia imports 90 per cent of its liquid fuel, including jet fuel, through long supply chains exposed to geopolitical and climate change risks, and delays associated with quality issues, placing the country in a vulnerable position when it comes to jet fuel security.

“With alternative technologies such as battery and fuel-cell powered planes still limited in long haul capabilities and the increasing competition for carbon offsets, SAF offers the largest potential for reduced aviation emissions in the near-term.”

CSIRO Energy Director Dr Dietmar Tourbier said the roadmap aligns with the Federal Government’s recently established Jet Zero Council – of which CSIRO and Boeing are members – and supports the commercial aviation industry’s commitment to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

“The roadmap is part of the critical work CSIRO is undertaking to support Australia’s hardest to abate sectors to halve their emissions by 2035, and forms part of our Towards Net Zero Mission,” Dr Tourbier said.

“With the rest of the world transitioning to SAF, Australia should not miss out on the opportunity to become a major player in this space.”

The full document is available via the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Roadmap.