Singapore Sets New Standard In Green Aviation With Asia Pacific Sustainable Aviation Centre

Singapore has taken a step closer to sustainable aviation in APAC following the launch of Asia Pacific Sustainable Aviation Centre (APSAC), today. Founded by the CAAS, APSAC will be a platform for policy research, information exchange, cooperation and capacity building, in a bid to contribute to the development of sustainable aviation in the rapidly developing region. The initiative promotes Singapore’s position as a leader in international aviation sustainability, considering the necessity for climate action and the anticipated 3-fold increase in the growth of air traffic by 2045.

The new trade group’s members range from powers such as big aviation companies like Airbus and Boeing to renewable fuel producers like Neste to major oil companies like Chevron and ExxonMobil. By working together, APSAC will work to influence change on the aviation sustainability agenda and support regional initiatives to achieve carbon-neutral growth of aviation by 2050.

APSAC Vision: Regional Partnership for the Future of Aviation.

The creation of APSAC is a significant step in our ongoing efforts to decarbonize aviation. With DHL Express as customer Global air cargo company DHL Express already in October tekened to buy SAF from Neste production facilities in Singapore, the work of APSAC will be focused on scaling up SAF production and developing new, cleaner aviation fuels, as well asrelated green financing models, to support sustainable growth of the aviation sector.

To deliver on its broad mandate, APSAC will collaborate with Governments, the industry and academia to research, build capacity and make policies designed to meet the aviation sustainability goals of the region. APSAC will also initiate initiatives to facilitate carbon accounting and carbon market development to ensure that while aviation expands it also minimises its environmental foot print.

Philip Goh, the center’s chief executive, who previously held senior positions at Singapore Airlines and IATA, is blunt about what that means. In its initial year, APSAC will be in dialogue with Asia-Pacific nations to better understand their requirements and how the center can support them in achieving their aviation sustainability goals. Such efforts matter — because aviation is seen as a significant source of the planet’s carbon emissions and yet also a producer of economic and social goods.

Key Partnerships Driving the Effort

Signatories to the APSAC’s advisory council include some big players in aerospace and energy, including aviation behemoths Airbus and Boeing, oil majors Chevron and ExxonMobil, and the renewable fuels heavyweight Neste. The council’s participation demonstrates a shared commitment to looking for practical and scalable answers to aviation sustainability issues in the region. They also bring expertise in fuel manufacturing, aircraft manufacturing and in emissions reduction technology – all key to realising APSAC’s goals.

Scale-up of SAF in the Asia-Pacific region And supply emission intensity aviation fuel alongside energy demand growth is one of the key activities that APSAC is engaged in. Neste, for one, has already signed a commitment to supply 7,400 tonnes of SAF to DHL Express to be used on freighter flights departing from Singapore’s Changi Airport. The collaboration is among the largest of its kind in the Asia-Pacific and demonstrates the successful use of SAF in the aviation industry.

Contribution of Policy Analysis and Capacity Building

A prime job for one of APSAC’s first tasks is polishing policy with hard research, to determine which lever would offer the best chance of pulling aviation’s emission down. That involves exploring things like new fuels, carbon accounting, and how to build out enabling carbon market infrastructure.” In addition, APSAC will work with local public and private sector stakeholders to create “green” financing programs to further continued growth of the aviation industry in the area.

Moreover the center will also develop capacity building, e.g. organizing conferences, workshops and common projects with other partners. This work aims to share best practices, boost knowledge, and harmonize the regional aviation authorities of the region to sustainable aviation codes. With a rapidly growing aviation industry in APAC, the Gleaning process is crucial to developing solutions deployed in more than one country across the region.

Focus on Asia-Pacific’s Aviation Future

The Asia-Pacific region hosts some of the world’s fastest growing air travel markets, and the region is projected to be a major driver of global demand for air travel in the coming decades. With growth, however, inevitably comes the challenge of sustaining it. The weight of APSAC’s need to navigate through this is overwhelming. Through a ‘Menu’ of Policy Choices and Instruments Specifically Tailored for national Asia Pacific States, APSAC will be instrumental in enabling states to develop their aviation industry in a sustainable manner.

Expectations are also high for sustainable aviation fuels in the region, as countries work toward their 2050 net-zero carbon emissions targets. The APSAC scheme align with the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Long-Term Aspirational Goal (LTAG) to achieve net-zero emissions for international aviation by the middle of the century. This kind of alignment is what will put the Asia-Pacific in the best position to lead the worldwide transition to sustainable aviation.

Conclusion:

With its announcement of the Asia Pacific Sustainable Aviation Centre (APSAC), the collaboration is an example of industry working together to secure a sustainable workforce for aviation in the Asia Pacific. With several partners committed to the development of sustainable air transport in the region, APSAC is expected to assume a principal role in shaping the policies, technologies and deployment methods that make the region’s aviation growth sustainable. The center’s commitment to establishing partnerships, conducting research and finding practical solutions will be indispensable to addressing the twin challenges of growing demand for air traffic and climate change.

As the world of aviation continues to evolve, initiatives like APSAC will play an essential role to support growth and stabilise the environment through the rapid growth required to ensure a green future for aviation the world over.

Source : www.greenairnews.com

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