Oral Reply by Minister for Transport S Iswaran to Parliamentary Question on Sustainable Aviation Fuels and Singapore's Readiness to Participate in the Voluntary Phase of CORSIA

Mr Leon Perera asked the Minister for Transport 

a.     whether he can provide an update on the Government’s study on the use of sustainable aviation fuels in the local aviation industry; and 

b.     whether Singapore’s readiness to participate in the voluntary phase of the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation has been delayed by the impact of COVID-19 on the aviation industry and, if so, what is the extent of the delay. 

Reply by Minister for Transport S Iswaran:

1.     Sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), which are produced from resources such as waste oil, can reduce carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional jet fuel, on a life-cycle basis. However, it is important to note that today sustainable aviation fuels are two to five times more expensive than conventional jet fuel. 

2.     The Singapore Government and our industry players have conducted a study of the operational and commercial viability of sustainable aviation fuels  at Changi Airport. The study presented options to integrate these fuels with traditional jet fuel at Changi Airport such as at existing jet fuel facilities, or at tank terminals in the existing supply chain. It also identified viable feedstock-technology combinations for sustainable aviation fuel production in Singapore, based on the availability of feedstock in the region, cost, and life-cycle assessments. The report also suggested various options to facilitate uptake and production of these fuels in Singapore. Our agencies are reviewing the findings. 

3.     Despite COVID-19, Singapore is participating in the voluntary phase of the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), which aims to cap the international aviation sector’s emissions. The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and Singapore-based carriers, namely Jetstar Asia, Scoot and Singapore Airlines, are monitoring and reporting the airlines’ emissions under CORSIA.