THE Sarawak government is making significant strides in the development of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) utilising algae biomass, in response to the growing global demand for this fuel.
Minister for Transport, Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin said the utilisation of SAF was an initiative undertaken by the aviation industry to mitigate global greenhouse gas emissions.
SAF, explained Lee, was a form of biofuel derived from sustainable feedstocks such as agricultural waste, forest residue, and non-food crops like algae biomass.
Citing the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), he noted that the aviation sector was accountable for 2.5 per cent of the total global carbon emissions.
He said this during his ministerial winding-up speech at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting on today (May 22).
Lee pointed out that ICAO had endorsed the 2050 ICAO Vision for Sustainable Aviation Fuels, which encouraged all stakeholders to prioritise SAF in their efforts to combat climate change.
In alignment with this vision, member airlines of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) had committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions from their operations by 2050, he added.
“Aircraft manufacturers, including Boeing, have been actively pursuing the utilisation of SAF and have set a target of implementing 100 per cent SAF for all commercial aircraft operations by 2030. Therefore, Sarawak’s endeavours in developing SAF are heading in the right direction.”
