Philippines: Flying Green - Sustainable Aviation Fuel in the Philippines

Aviation is responsible for more than two percent of all global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Most of this CO2 is emitted when fossil-fuel-derived jet fuel is combusted. Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is a key part of the aviation industry’s plan to reduce carbon emissions. SAF reduces the carbon intensity of air travel by up to 80 percent over its life cycle. In the Philippines, aviation fuel consumption reached its peak of 2.8 billion liters in 2019. When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted transportation in 2020, jet fuel consumption went down by 65 percent, but showed a recovery in 2022. A local airline, Cebu Pacific started using SAF in 2022. New investments in SAF production are also being studied. The Philippines shows initiative in addressing the effects of climate change resulting from domestic and international aviation. With jet fuel greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions growing, commercial aviation needs an immediate decarbonization solution through SAF.