South Korea announced that, starting in 2027, it will ensure that all departing international flights use a mix of around 1% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
SAF, a renewable alternative to conventional jet fuel, is derived from agricultural and waste materials.
The aviation industry is known as a “hard-to-abate sector.” It accounts for 2.5-3% of carbon dioxide emissions. The sector’s decarbonization can be achieved by adopting environmentally friendly fuels, such as SAF, hydrogen, and electric power.
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According to statements from the industry and transport ministries, South Korea is taking the required initiative to prepare the industry for a carbon offset and reduction scheme, as per a Reuters report.
This will become mandatory for members of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) starting that year.
The report also mentioned that six South Korean airlines, including the national carrier Korean Air, have started or plan to incorporate 1% SAF into the fuel for one international route per week beginning this year.
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Based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the demand for SAF is projected to surge to 18.35 million tonnes by 2030, up from 240,000 tonnes in 2022.
The government announced that it is evaluating broader tax incentives for investments in SAF development within the oil refining sector.
Additionally, it is considering measures to alleviate the future financial strain associated with high SAF production costs.