**Summary:**
In response to Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 65, the Ministry of Civil Aviation addressed India's progress on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and carbon emission reduction in the aviation sector.
India acknowledges the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)'s long-term global aspirational goal (LTAG) for net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 for international aviation, aligning with the UNFCCC Paris Agreement. As a member state of ICAO, India is obligated to comply with the Carbon Offsetting Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) from 2027, which requires airlines to offset emissions above the 2019 baseline for international flights.
Based on the National Biofuel Coordination Committee (NBCC) recommendations from November 24, 2023, the government has approved indicative blending targets for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in traditional aviation fuel, initially for international flights: 1% by 2027, 2% by 2028, and 5% by 2030.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has encouraged operational airports with scheduled operations and developers of upcoming Greenfield Airports to pursue carbon neutrality, including the use of green energy. Bengaluru Airport has achieved Airports Council International (ACI) Carbon Accreditation Level 5, while Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad airports have achieved Level 4 and become carbon neutral. A total of 88 airports have transitioned to 100% green energy usage.
Key Entities Referenced
Sustainable Aviation Fuel: A type of aviation fuel that reduces carbon emissions compared to traditional jet fuel.
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The Indian government ministry responsible for the regulation and development of civil aviation in India.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
Dr. Pradeep Kumar Panigrahy: A member of the Lok Sabha who raised a question about Sustainable Aviation Fuel.
Shri Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu: Minister of Civil Aviation, responsible for answering the question in the Lok Sabha.
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO): A specialized agency of the United Nations that codifies the principles and techniques of international air navigation and fosters the planning and development of international air transport to ensure safety and orderly growth.
UNFCCC Paris Agreement: An international agreement within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), dealing with greenhouse gas emissions mitigation, adaptation, and finance.
Carbon Offsetting Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA): A market-based measure adopted by ICAO to reduce carbon emissions from international aviation.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. : 65
th
(To be answered on the 24 July 2025)
SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUEL ROADMAP
*65. DR. PRADEEP KUMAR PANIGRAHY
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the Government is aware that the global aviation sector has
committed to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and if so, the details
thereof;
(b) whether India is yet to finalise its Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
roadmap including incentivising green airport initiatives and if so, the reasons
therefor;
(c) whether such delay is likely to put Indian aircrafts/carriers at risk of
future carbon trade barriers; and
(d) if so, the corrective steps being taken thereon?
ANSWER
Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu)
(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
*****STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (D) IN
RESPECT OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 65 FOR REPLY
ON 24.07.2025 REGARDING "SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUEL
ROADMAP" ASKED BY DR. PRADEEP KUMAR PANIGRAHY.
(a) & (b) The 41st International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
Assembly adopted a long-term global aspirational goal (LTAG) for
international aviation of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 in support of the
UNFCCC Paris Agreement's temperature goal. The LTAG does not attribute
specific obligations or commitments in the form of emissions reduction goals
to individual States. Instead, it recognizes that each State's special
circumstances and respective capabilities will inform the ability of each State
to contribute to the LTAG within its own national timeframe.
ICAO has adopted a market based measure i.e.Carbon Offsetting Reduction
Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) to reduce carbon emissions
from international aviation. India, being a Member State of ICAO, is under
obligation to comply with the mandatory phase of CORSIA from the year
2027. Under the CORSIA scheme, airlines are required to offset their
emissions, above a set baseline of 2019. The CORSIA scheme is applicable for
international flights only. Based on the recommendations of the Fifth Meeting
of the National Biofuel Coordination Committee (NBCC) held on 24.11.2023,
the indicative blending targets of 1% by 2027, 2% by 2028 and 5% by 2030 of
Sustainable Aviation Fuel in Traditional Aviation Fuel, initially for
international flights, have been approved.
Ministry of Civil Aviation has advised all the operational airports with
scheduled operations and developers of the upcoming Greenfield Airports to
work towards achieving Carbon Neutrality & Net Zero which inter-alia
includes use of green energy. Bengaluru Airport has achieved the highest
Carbon Accreditation Level 5 of Airports Council International (ACI),
whereas Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad airports have achieved Level 4+ ACI
accreditation. These airports have become Carbon neutral. So far, a total of
88 airports have switched over to 100% green energy usage.
(c) & (d) Does not arise in view of (a) & (b) above.
*****